Volkswagen Car CheckFull history check, MOT history and common problems by model

Free Volkswagen vehicle check by reg: MOT history, mileage and tax. Buying one? The full car history check shows outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers, keepers and plate changes.

  • 77% MOT pass rate (UK 77%)
  • 52,784 Volkswagens checked
  • 14.9% had outstanding finance

Volkswagen reg check

Example: AB12 CDE (Free instant lookup)

Free MOT, mileage and tax check by reg or VIN. Full car history check from £3.99.

Full Volkswagen history check from £3.99

The MOT record is free, and it only shows the car's condition on test day. What a seller may not mention is in the full Volkswagen car check:

Of the 484 Volkswagen vehicles checked with a full CarCheckUp report, 14.9% had outstanding finance recorded, 13.0% an insurance write-off record and 35.1% a number plate change.

  • Outstanding finance: lender and agreement
  • Insurance write-off: Cat S, N, C or D
  • Police stolen marker
  • High risk register
  • Previous keepers and last change
  • Plate and colour changes
  • Scrapped, imported or exported
  • Mileage anomaly check
Check a Volkswagen by reg → See a sample full report Prices and bundles

£3.99 a report in the 5-report bundle, £11.99 for a single report; unused reports never expire. Shown on screen straight away and sent by email. No subscription. Start with the free check: you only pay for the full report.

Volkswagen car check by model

MOT pass rate of each Volkswagen model, all its versions included; the line marks the UK average (77%). Pass rates where at least 300 vehicles were checked.

  • Volkswagen Golf 19,779 vehicles checked 78% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Golf car check →
  • Volkswagen Polo 8,522 vehicles checked 74% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Polo car check →
  • Volkswagen Transporter 4,644 vehicles checked 72% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Transporter car check →
  • Volkswagen Passat 4,489 vehicles checked 78% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Passat car check →
  • Volkswagen Tiguan 2,533 vehicles checked 83% Top failure area: suspension Volkswagen Tiguan car check →
  • Volkswagen Caddy 2,337 vehicles checked 75% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Caddy car check →
  • Volkswagen Scirocco 1,505 vehicles checked 77% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Scirocco car check →
  • Volkswagen Touran 1,480 vehicles checked 76% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Touran car check →
  • Volkswagen Crafter 1,442 vehicles checked 73% Top failure area: lights and indicators Volkswagen Crafter car check →
  • Volkswagen UP 647 vehicles checked 83% Top failure area: lights and indicators
  • Volkswagen Sharan 605 vehicles checked 79% Top failure area: lights and indicators
  • Volkswagen Touareg 555 vehicles checked 80% Top failure area: lights and indicators
  • Volkswagen Beetle 450 vehicles checked 73% Top failure area: lights and indicators
  • Volkswagen Jetta 448 vehicles checked 78% Top failure area: suspension
  • Volkswagen T-ROC 438 vehicles checked 91% Top failure area: tyres
  • Volkswagen CC 432 vehicles checked 81% Top failure area: tyres
  • Volkswagen Caravelle 309 vehicles checked 72% Top failure area: lights and indicators
  • Volkswagen Amarok 297 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen FOX 229 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Bora 226 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen EOS 212 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen LT 185 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Lupo 142 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Arteon 127 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen T-Cross 118 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen California 75 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen ID3 72 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Camper 40 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen ID4 39 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen E-Golf 34 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Motor 32 vehicles checked
  • Volkswagen Corrado 27 vehicles checked

Free Volkswagen MOT History and Mileage Data

What the MOT records of 52,784 Volkswagen vehicles show. The full check above covers what the MOT doesn't.

  • 77%of MOT tests passedUK average 77%
  • 7,900typical miles a year
  • 5.7%have a mileage anomalyan MOT reading lower than an earlier one
  • 671,850MOT tests analysed
  • 2008–2016built (middle half)
  • 59%diesel; 39% petrol; 1% hybrid electric (clean)

Volkswagen common problems: most common MOT failures and advisories

The defects MOT testers record most often on Volkswagen vehicles, as a share of all their MOT tests (the same defect on any wheel or side counts once).

Top 20 Volkswagen MOT failures

Reasons the car failed its MOT.

  1. Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  2. Position lamp not working1.6%
  3. Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
  4. Stop lamp not working1.4%
  5. Coil spring fractured or broken1.3%
  6. Brake pad less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
  7. Headlamp aim too low1.2%
  8. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
  9. Registration plate lamp not working1.1%
  10. Parking brake efficiency below requirements1.0%
Show all 20
  1. Tyre has ply or cords exposed1.0%
  2. Headlamp aim too high1.0%
  3. Headlamp not working on dipped beam1.0%
  4. Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
  5. Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.9%
  6. Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak0.7%
  7. Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
  8. Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
  9. Service brake excessively binding0.6%
  10. Side repeater not working0.5%

Top 20 Volkswagen MOT advisories

Wear the tester noted: not a failure yet, but money to budget for.

  1. Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.6%
  2. Brake pad wearing thin5.7%
  3. Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.6%
  4. Tyre worn close to the legal limit4.7%
  5. Oil leak, but not excessive2.9%
  6. Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.5%
  7. Shock absorbers has light misting of oil2.2%
  8. Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources2.0%
  9. Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.9%
  10. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.8%
Show all 20
  1. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view1.7%
  2. Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated1.7%
  3. Coil spring corroded1.5%
  4. Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.4%
  5. Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect1.4%
  6. Shock absorber has a light misting of oil1.2%
  7. Service brake binding but not excessively1.1%
  8. Nail in tyre1.1%
  9. Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases1.0%
  10. Play in steering rack inner joint1.0%

Based on the DVSA MOT histories of all 52,784 Volkswagen vehicles with an MOT checked on CarCheckUp (671,850 tests, retests included). Updated 2 October 2026. Every MOT test and advisory for one car is in the free MOT history check. Market-wide figures: UK Used Car Risk Report. How we calculate these figures. MOT and DVLA data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Before buying a used Volkswagen

The MOT record shows condition on the day of the test. Run these checks on the Volkswagen you're looking at too:

Volkswagen MOT questions

How do I check a used Volkswagen for outstanding finance or a write-off?

Run a full car history check on its registration. Of the 484 Volkswagen vehicles checked with a full CarCheckUp report, 14.9% had outstanding finance recorded and 13.0% an insurance write-off record. The report also shows stolen markers, keepers, plate and colour changes.

Is a Volkswagen car check free?

The MOT history, mileage anomaly check, tax and DVLA details of any Volkswagen are free. The full car history check (finance, write-off, stolen, keepers and 150+ data points) is paid, from £3.99 a report.

What is the most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen?

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm: found at 2.3% of the Volkswagen MOT tests we analysed. By area, lights and indicators items appear in 43% of failed tests.

What is the Volkswagen MOT pass rate?

77% of 671,850 MOT tests on 52,784 Volkswagen vehicles checked on CarCheckUp were passed (retests included). The UK average across all vehicles we checked is 77%.

What are the common problems with the Volkswagen?

Going by its MOT records, the Volkswagen's most common failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2.3% of tests); position lamp not working (1.6% of tests); windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (1.6% of tests). The full list of the top 20 MOT failures and advisories is on this page.

What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen?

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge: noted at 7.6% of tests. An advisory is not a failure, but it is wear to budget for.

How many miles a year is a Volkswagen typically driven?

About 7,900 miles a year (the median, from MOT mileage readings). 5.7% have a mileage anomaly: an MOT reading lower than an earlier one.

Which Volkswagen model passes its MOT most often?

Among Volkswagen models with at least 300 vehicles checked, the Volkswagen T-ROC has the highest pass rate (91%) and the Volkswagen Transporter the lowest (72%).

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