Small SUV · 2019–2021 cars

Volkswagen T-Cross reliability

The Volkswagen T-Cross fails 10.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 28,264 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 58/100#20 of 40 small suvs

Checking a Volkswagen T-Cross before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 10.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 9% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 28,264; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volkswagen T-Cross ages

Each point is the share of Volkswagen T-Crosss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Volkswagen T-CrossAll cars

Volkswagen T-Cross first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Volkswagen T-Cross	All cars
3	10%	12.3%
4	11.6%	14.1%
5	12.3%	16.4%

By year

The best and worst Volkswagen T-Cross years

2020 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volkswagen T-Cross MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 T-Cross	2,301	10.6%	3% fewer fails	22,971
2020 T-Cross	10,629	10%	12% fewer fails	24,293
2019 T-Cross	15,334	11.1%	8% fewer fails	25,597

Common problems

What fails most on a Volkswagen T-Cross

Its weak spot is brakes: 90% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres4%2% below avg
Brakes3.4%90% above avg
Lights and electrics1.7%35% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.6%49% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%9% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.3%15% above avg
Wheels0.2%7% above avg
Suspension0.2%70% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.2%2% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.63% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.16% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.73% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
4
Windscreen washers not working 0.62% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.62% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Brake discs significantly worn 0.59% of tests
Heavily worn discs reduce braking performance and wear pads faster, so a replacement will soon be needed.
7
Brake effort excessively fluctuating 0.5% of tests
Uneven braking through each wheel turn can make stopping unpredictable, so the brakes need inspecting and repair.
8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.41% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen T-Cross's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.84%
Brake pads wearing thin7.97%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.28%
Tyre worn close to legal limit6.51%
Child seat limits belt inspection2%
Nail in tyre, monitor1.34%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volkswagen T-Cross

1
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.
2
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.
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
Windscreen washers not working
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
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 T-Cross covers about 7,100 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

Petrol96.3%
Diesel3.7%

Most common colours

Grey, White, Black, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 1.0 litres.

Compare

How the Volkswagen T-Cross compares with its rivals

Volkswagen T-Cross against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Lexus UX	5.8%	53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Subaru XV	17.8%	13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Stonic	11.9%	10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen T-Cross	10.6%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Kamiq	10.7%	7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW X2	14.1%	about average for its age
SsangYong Tivoli	26.6%	53% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.

Questions

Volkswagen T-Cross questions, answered

Is the Volkswagen T-Cross reliable?

On MOT results, the Volkswagen T-Cross is about average: it fails 10.6% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 40 small suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Volkswagen T-Cross MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen T-Cross are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.63% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.16% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.73% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4% of its tests.

Which Volkswagen T-Cross year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volkswagen T-Cross do a year?

A typical Volkswagen T-Cross covers about 7,100 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 T-Cross 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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