City car · 2003–2014 cars
Volkswagen Fox reliability
The Volkswagen Fox fails 47.2% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 93,259 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Fox before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 47.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 93,259
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Fox ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Foxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Fox | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 35.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 42.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 47.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 48.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 49% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 50.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.4% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 44.1% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Fox years
2006 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 290 | 35.2% | 22% more fails | 56,857 |
| 2011 Fox | 8,117 | 40.9% | 28% more fails | 64,154 |
| 2010 Fox | 25,791 | 46.5% | 33% more fails | 70,847 |
| 2009 Fox | 16,469 | 46.9% | 30% more fails | 71,674 |
| 2008 Fox | 15,370 | 49.9% | 26% more fails | 80,593 |
| 2007 Fox | 17,309 | 50.2% | 15% more fails | 81,739 |
| 2006 Fox | 9,909 | 46.1% | 5% more fails | 84,582 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Fox
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 118% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.8%27% above avg
- Suspension20.3%41% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors12.8%103% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure11.3%89% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.7%118% above avg
- Brakes9.1%6% below avg
- Tyres6.5%5% below avg
- Steering3.3%20% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%51% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.75% of tests
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.69% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.68% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.45% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 4.42% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 4.39% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 4.36% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 4.14% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Fox's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.4%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.83%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak9.58%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.95%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion6.52%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Fox
- 1
Exhaust has major gas leak
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 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 Fox covers about 5,600 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
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0.1%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Red, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Fox compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Viva | 15.6% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Fox | 47.2% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500C | 31.5% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Forfour | 25.6% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Twingo | 36.6% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Fox questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Fox reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Fox is below average: it fails 47.2% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Fox MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Fox are exhaust has major gas leak (4.75% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.69% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.68% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 21.8% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Fox year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2006 cars do best (5% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2010 cars do worst (33% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Fox do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Fox covers about 5,600 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 Fox 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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