Pickup · 2011–2021 cars
Volkswagen Amarok reliability
The Volkswagen Amarok fails 21.1% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 77,366 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Amarok before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 21.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 77,366
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 12,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Amarok ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Amaroks of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Amarok | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 25.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 28.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 29.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 36.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 32.4% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Amarok years
2020 cars come out best and 2012 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Amarok | 3,934 | 12% | 26% fewer fails | 47,371 |
| 2019 Amarok | 10,727 | 13.6% | 20% fewer fails | 53,561 |
| 2018 Amarok | 11,240 | 15.7% | 19% fewer fails | 62,576 |
| 2017 Amarok | 8,788 | 19.7% | 10% fewer fails | 72,181 |
| 2016 Amarok | 9,432 | 20.8% | 16% fewer fails | 81,322 |
| 2015 Amarok | 10,702 | 23.7% | 16% fewer fails | 92,172 |
| 2014 Amarok | 8,623 | 25.8% | 18% fewer fails | 100,224 |
| 2013 Amarok | 7,067 | 26.5% | 24% fewer fails | 114,293 |
| 2012 Amarok | 4,652 | 33.6% | 9% fewer fails | 117,553 |
| 2011 Amarok | 2,177 | 34.7% | 12% fewer fails | 125,016 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Amarok
Its weak spot is brakes: 42% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes7.8%42% above avg
- Lights and electrics7.6%18% below avg
- Suspension4.5%32% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.8%14% above avg
- Tyres2.7%60% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%38% below avg
- Steering1.7%21% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%57% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.6%63% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.6% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.43% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.42% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.28% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Service brake excessively binding 1.21% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 6
Parking brake inoperative on one side 1.07% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
- 7
Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn 1.02% of tests
Worn anti-roll bar bushes cause knocking noises and reduce handling stability, so they should be replaced.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.99% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Amarok's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.36%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.33%
- Shock absorber light oil misting3.45%
- Anti-roll bar pin/bush showing wear2.69%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive2.43%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.05%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Amarok
- 1
Diesel engine warning light faulty
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volkswagen Amarok covers about 12,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel100%
- Petrol0%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, Blue, White, Silver
Average engine size: 2.4 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Amarok compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Amarok | 21.1% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi L200 | 31.2% | about average for its age |
| Toyota Hilux | 31.5% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Ranger | 27.6% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Navara | 31.6% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu D-Max | 28.2% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Amarok questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Amarok reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Amarok is better than average: it fails 21.1% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Amarok MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Amarok are diesel engine warning light faulty (1.6% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.43% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (1.42% of tests). By area, brakes fails 7.8% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Amarok year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2012 cars do worst (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Amarok do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Amarok covers about 12,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volkswagen Amarok before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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