Small SUV · 2017–2021 cars
Volkswagen T-Roc reliability
The Volkswagen T-Roc fails 9% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 156,247 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen T-Roc before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 34% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 156,247
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The T-Roc performs well. Of 156,247 MOT tests analysed from 2022 to 2024, only 9% failed first time, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 34% fewer MOT fails, ranking 3 of 40 small SUV models. The 2020 cars were the strongest, with 39% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
Good results don't mean you can skip checks. Before you buy, check the wiper blades clear the windscreen, the most common MOT failure (1.49% of tests). Then look at tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.1% of tests), tyre cuts reaching ply or cords (1.07% of tests), and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (0.76% of tests). Ask the seller for the MOT history too.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen T-Roc ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen T-Rocs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen T-Roc | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen T-Roc years
2020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 T-Roc | 9,136 | 7.7% | 34% fewer fails | 25,694 |
| 2020 T-Roc | 31,695 | 7.6% | 39% fewer fails | 28,371 |
| 2019 T-Roc | 59,245 | 8.4% | 38% fewer fails | 32,333 |
| 2018 T-Roc | 56,050 | 10.6% | 28% fewer fails | 35,806 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen T-Roc
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.7%21% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.3%28% below avg
- Brakes1.4%40% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.3%59% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%78% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%34% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%31% below avg
- Suspension0.2%81% below avg
- Wheels0.1%55% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.49% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.1% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.07% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.76% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Headlamp aim set too high 0.33% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.32% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.31% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.28% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen T-Roc's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.95%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.68%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.67%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.88%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.61%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.85%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen T-Roc
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 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.
- 4
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.
- 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-Roc covers about 8,300 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
- Petrol79.6%
- Diesel20.4%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, White, Black, Silver
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen T-Roc compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi Q2 | 9.1% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 9% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo XC40 | 9.3% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Vitara | 14.8% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota C-HR | 14.2% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Crossland | 14.3% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Dacia Duster | 26.9% | 39% 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-Roc questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen T-Roc reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen T-Roc is better than average: it fails 9% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen T-Roc MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen T-Roc are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.49% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.1% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.07% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.7% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen T-Roc year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen T-Roc do a year?
A typical Volkswagen T-Roc covers about 8,300 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-Roc 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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