Large family car · 2001–2018 cars
Volkswagen CC reliability
The Volkswagen CC fails 25.1% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 50,514 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen CC before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 25.1%
- 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
- 50,514
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen CC ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen CCs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen CC | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 15.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 24.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 28.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 27.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 30.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 40.7% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen CC years
2012 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 879 | 17.4% | 12% fewer fails | 57,488 |
| 2016 CC | 6,330 | 18.4% | 19% fewer fails | 65,933 |
| 2015 CC | 9,615 | 22.3% | 16% fewer fails | 77,769 |
| 2014 CC | 12,362 | 26.1% | 13% fewer fails | 90,663 |
| 2013 CC | 11,574 | 27.6% | 18% fewer fails | 101,543 |
| 2012 CC | 8,503 | 27.8% | 24% fewer fails | 112,453 |
| 2011 | 882 | 34.1% | 13% fewer fails | 119,824 |
| 2010 | 238 | 31.9% | 22% fewer fails | 132,867 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen CC
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 56% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension9.7%0% above avg
- Tyres9.3%28% above avg
- Lights and electrics6.8%43% below avg
- Brakes3.7%46% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%29% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%44% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%56% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.2%61% below avg
- Wheels0.5%9% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.39% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.73% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.68% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.51% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.35% 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 cut reaching ply or cords 1.2% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.14% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.12% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen CC's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.13%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.28%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.29%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.39%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.08%
- Suspension arm showing corrosion3.57%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen CC
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
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.
- 4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 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 CC covers about 10,400 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
- Diesel97.7%
- Petrol2.3%
Most common colours
Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen CC compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen CC | 25.1% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Optima | 19.8% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i40 | 26.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 508 | 28.2% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 407 | 46.1% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C5 | 28.5% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Laguna | 45.8% | 10% 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 CC questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen CC reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen CC is better than average: it fails 25.1% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen CC MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen CC are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.39% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.73% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.68% of tests). By area, suspension fails 9.7% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen CC year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen CC do a year?
A typical Volkswagen CC covers about 10,400 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 CC 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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