Family hatchback · 2004–2018 cars
Volkswagen Scirocco reliability
The Volkswagen Scirocco fails 28.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 162,386 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Scirocco before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 28.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 162,386
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Volkswagen Scirocco is a good buy if you know what to check. Across 162,386 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, its first-time fail rate was 28.5%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 10% fewer MOT fails. The 2015 cars did best, with 15% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2018 cars were about average.
Tyres are the weak spot, with 26% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Check tread depth, as tread below 1.6mm failed 2.79% of tests. Look at the coil springs too, since a fractured or broken spring was the most common fail at 3.49%. Finally, check every light works and the headlamp aim is not set too low, as position lamps failed at 2.19% and headlamp aim at 1.8%.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Scirocco ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Sciroccos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Scirocco | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 17.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 18% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 20.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 30.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 36.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 37.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 35.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 36.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 37.8% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Scirocco years
2015 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Scirocco | 2,445 | 15.4% | 1% more fails | 36,431 |
| 2017 Scirocco | 16,225 | 17.4% | 1% fewer fails | 43,779 |
| 2016 Scirocco | 17,967 | 18.6% | 11% fewer fails | 53,893 |
| 2015 Scirocco | 18,383 | 21% | 15% fewer fails | 64,497 |
| 2014 Scirocco | 12,171 | 26.2% | 7% fewer fails | 74,448 |
| 2013 Scirocco | 14,402 | 27.8% | 13% fewer fails | 84,890 |
| 2012 Scirocco | 14,638 | 30.5% | 14% fewer fails | 95,252 |
| 2011 Scirocco | 20,757 | 35.5% | 7% fewer fails | 101,460 |
| 2010 Scirocco | 22,077 | 37.3% | 8% fewer fails | 106,306 |
| 2009 Scirocco | 19,560 | 36.3% | 14% fewer fails | 111,448 |
| 2008 Scirocco | 3,757 | 39.8% | 7% fewer fails | 106,968 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Scirocco
Its weak spot is tyres: 26% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.1%21% below avg
- Suspension9.7%10% below avg
- Tyres8.8%26% above avg
- Brakes6.6%11% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.6%24% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%6% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.4%63% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.9%9% below avg
- Wheels0.7%51% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.49% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.79% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Position lamp not working 2.19% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too low 1.8% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.77% 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 ply or cords exposed 1.75% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.61% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.3% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Scirocco's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.92%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.6%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.19%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.79%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.03%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Scirocco
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 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
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 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 Scirocco covers about 8,600 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
- Diesel52.2%
- Petrol47.8%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
White, Black, Blue, Grey, Silver
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Scirocco compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 17.7% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Scirocco | 28.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V50 | 44.3% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki SX4 | 28.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Xsara | 50.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 41.3% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 307 | 51.9% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Scirocco questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Scirocco reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Scirocco is about average: it fails 28.5% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Scirocco MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Scirocco are coil spring fractured or broken (3.49% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.79% of tests), position lamp not working (2.19% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.1% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Scirocco year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Scirocco do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Scirocco covers about 8,600 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 Scirocco 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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