Volkswagen Arteon MOT pass rate and common problems
90.3% of 14,411 Volkswagen Arteon MOT tests pass.
The Arteon passes its MOT 90.3% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen Arteon passes its MOT 90.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volkswagen Arteon?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Arteon in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 90.7% at 0–3 years versus 90.4% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 90.7% | 1,794 | 32,894 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.3% | 10,065 | 46,957 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.4% | 2,552 | 63,640 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Arteon
The most common reason the Volkswagen Arteon fails its MOT is tyres — present in 67.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 67.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 16.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 15.4% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.8% | Too low |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 4.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.4% | Leaking |
Buying a used Volkswagen Arteon: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Arteon’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 91.0% down to 84.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 67.7% of failed Volkswagen Arteon MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 16.5% of failed Volkswagen Arteon MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 15.4% of failed Volkswagen Arteon MOTs. 1.9% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 8.8% of failed Volkswagen Arteon MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 5.7% of failed Volkswagen Arteon MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen CC — 78.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Jetta — 71.5% pass rate
- Volkswagen Eos — 71.8% pass rate
- Volkswagen California — 84.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen Crafter — 77.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen E-Golf — 89.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Arteon?
- 90.3% of Volkswagen Arteon MOT tests pass, based on 14,411 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Arteon?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Arteon fails its MOT is tyres — present in 67.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Arteon?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Arteon are tyres; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Arteon?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; suspension; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Arteon's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.