Large family car · 2017–2021 cars
Volkswagen Arteon reliability
The Volkswagen Arteon fails 11.9% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,660 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Arteon before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 11.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,660
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Arteon ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Arteons of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Arteon | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.6% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 11.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 10.9% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Arteon years
2017 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 476 | 9.9% | 27% fewer fails | 34,154 |
| 2020 Arteon | 3,192 | 11.9% | 14% fewer fails | 33,975 |
| 2019 Arteon | 7,034 | 11.7% | 22% fewer fails | 39,344 |
| 2018 Arteon | 7,848 | 12.2% | 28% fewer fails | 47,796 |
| 2017 Arteon | 2,110 | 11.9% | 36% fewer fails | 52,258 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Arteon
Its weak spot is tyres: 33% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres7.1%33% above avg
- Brakes1.7%43% below avg
- Suspension1.6%16% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.1%74% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.8%23% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%57% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.6%82% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%24% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%85% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.81% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.8% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.08% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.06% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.83% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.79% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 7
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 0.43% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 8
Tyre tear from structural failure 0.39% of tests
A tear in the tyre's structure means it can fail suddenly, so it must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Arteon's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.6%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.71%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.19%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.45%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.21%
- Nail in tyre, monitor2.33%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Arteon
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Arteon covers about 10,200 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
- Petrol57.9%
- Diesel41.8%
- Hybrid0.2%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Silver, White, Blue
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Arteon compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Arteon | 11.9% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Outback | 25.8% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Exeo | 33.4% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Legacy | 36.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 42.6% | about average for its age |
| Rover 75 | 42.5% | about average for its age |
| Citroën DS5 | 36.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Arteon questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Arteon reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Arteon is better than average: it fails 11.9% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Arteon MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Arteon are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.81% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.8% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.08% of tests). By area, tyres fails 7.1% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Arteon year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Arteon do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Arteon covers about 10,200 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 Arteon 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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