Volkswagen T-Cross: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Volkswagen T-Cross passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 13.6 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 20,227 individual Volkswagen T-Cross tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate90.3%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+13.6 points
Tests analysed20,227
Average mileage at test26,544 miles
Average year of manufacture2020
Reliability rank644 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 90.3% first-time pass rate means roughly 10 in every 100 Volkswagen T-Cross presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Volkswagen T-Cross tested had covered 26,544 miles and was built around 2020.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Volkswagen T-Cross sits 13.6 points above the national average, ranked 644 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Volkswagen T-Cross rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Volkswagen T-Cross at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen T-Cross

  1. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 0.8% of tests (2.23x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 0.5% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
  3. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.6% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
  4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.7% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
  6. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.9% of tests
  7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1% of tests
  8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1% of tests
  9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.7% of tests
  10. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 0.4% of tests

From 20,197 DVSA-tracked Volkswagen T-Cross tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 6.93% of these flagged Volkswagen T-Cross defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Volkswagen T-Cross

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Volkswagen T-Cross before it actually fails on it.

  1. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 14.6% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  2. A tyre seriously damaged, 22.3% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  3. An obstruction significantly affecting the driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen or an obligatory external mirror not visible, 0.1% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.4% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 15.4% of tests, also fails
  6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 2.3% of tests, also fails
  7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1% of tests
  8. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1% of tests, also fails
  9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.6% of tests
  10. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 0.5% of tests

From 20,197 DVSA-tracked Volkswagen T-Cross tests, 2024.

Volkswagen T-Cross pass rate by model year

From its 2019 to its 2021 model year, the Volkswagen T-Cross's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points, from 89% to 91.7%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each Volkswagen T-Cross year:

Other Volkswagen models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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Volkswagen T-Cross MOT pass rate badge: 90.3%

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Volkswagen T-Cross most common MOT failure: Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. (0.8% of tests)

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/volkswagen-t-cross"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/volkswagen-t-cross.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="Volkswagen T-Cross most common MOT failure: Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. (0.8% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate