Volkswagen Scirocco: what fails at MOT
65,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Scirocco in 2024, counted. 27.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.3% of Volkswagen Scirocco tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.5%, so the Scirocco does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.2% of tests), suspension (6.1% of tests) and tyres (5.3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,105 | 16.7% | 15.6% | 43,100 33,300 to 53,600 |
| 2017 | 6,880 | 16.6% | 18.2% | 50,400 38,400 to 63,300 |
| 2016 | 7,310 | 18.0% | 21.3% | 61,000 47,600 to 75,000 |
| 2015 | 7,350 | 19.5% | 24.4% | 71,000 56,100 to 88,300 |
| 2014 | 4,625 | 27.7% | 27.7% | 79,400 65,700 to 97,800 |
| 2013 | 5,488 | 26.8% | 30.6% | 90,500 72,000 to 110,700 |
| 2012 | 5,725 | 28.7% | 33.4% | 100,600 80,900 to 121,700 |
| 2011 | 8,279 | 34.2% | 36.1% | 105,600 85,800 to 128,200 |
| 2010 | 8,870 | 36.3% | 38.6% | 110,500 90,500 to 133,800 |
| 2009 | 8,137 | 33.3% | 39.8% | 115,500 94,300 to 136,400 |
| 2008 | 1,665 | 37.8% | 41.5% | 112,200 91,600 to 129,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Scirocco tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Scirocco | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 6.2% | 8.7% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 7.5% |
| Tyres | 5.3% | 4.7% |
| Brakes | 4.3% | 5.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 2.1% | 3.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.0% | 2.4% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.9% | 2.6% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.5%
- Coil spring2.3%
- Headlamp aim2.1%
- Tyre tread2.0%
- Side light1.6%
- Engine warning light1.5%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Brake test1.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover1.2%
- Washers1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- Side light: not working1.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low1.3%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.4%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened3.3%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Scirocco's own MOT record
Looking at a Scirocco? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.