Volkswagen Fox MOT pass rate and common problems
60.6% of 36,063 Volkswagen Fox MOT tests pass.
The Fox passes 60.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
The Volkswagen Fox passes 60.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Fox?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Fox 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 eases gradually with age, from 62.0% at 10–15 years to 59.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 62.0% | 17,343 | 74,969 miles |
| 15+ years | 59.3% | 18,720 | 84,757 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Fox
The most common reason the Volkswagen Fox fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 65.0% | Not working |
| Suspension | 52.4% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 28.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Visibility | 27.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 24.5% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Tyres | 14.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 8.0% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volkswagen Fox: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Fox’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.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen Fox comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 62.0% to 59.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 69.4% down to 60.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 65.0% of failed Volkswagen Fox 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 52.4% of failed Volkswagen Fox MOTs.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 28.2% of failed Volkswagen Fox 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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 27.7% of failed Volkswagen Fox MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.6% of failed Volkswagen Fox 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 Beetle — 65.8% pass rate
- Volkswagen Sharan — 81.3% pass rate
- Volkswagen Amarok — 84.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Cross — 91.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caravelle — 71.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen ID3 — 92.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Fox?
- 60.6% of Volkswagen Fox MOT tests pass, based on 36,063 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Fox?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Fox fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 65.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Fox?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Fox are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Fox?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; windscreen and wipers; 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 Fox'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.