Volkswagen T-Cross MOT pass rate and common problems
91.7% of 35,429 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests pass.
The T-Cross passes its MOT 91.7% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen T-Cross passes its MOT 91.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volkswagen T-Cross?
This is the average across every Volkswagen T-Cross 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 93.2% at 0–3 years to 91.0% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.2% | 11,224 | 21,455 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.0% | 24,203 | 28,378 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen T-Cross
The most common reason the Volkswagen T-Cross fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 40.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 39.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.2% | Not working |
| Visibility | 12.9% | Not working |
| Steering | 3.0% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Suspension | 1.8% | Fractured or broken |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Volkswagen T-Cross: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen T-Cross’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 T-Cross comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 93.2% to 91.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.7% down to 87.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 40.6% of failed Volkswagen T-Cross 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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 39.3% of failed Volkswagen T-Cross 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 16.2% of failed Volkswagen T-Cross 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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.9% of failed Volkswagen T-Cross 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. Steering
Recorded in 3.0% of failed Volkswagen T-Cross MOTs.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
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 Sharan — 81.3% pass rate
- Volkswagen Amarok — 84.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen Fox — 60.6% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caravelle — 71.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen ID3 — 92.5% pass rate
- Volkswagen CC — 78.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen T-Cross?
- 91.7% of Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests pass, based on 35,429 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen T-Cross?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen T-Cross fails its MOT is brakes — present in 40.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen T-Cross?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen T-Cross are brakes; tyres; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen T-Cross?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; steering. 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 T-Cross'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.