Volkswagen T-Cross: what fails at MOT
28,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen T-Cross in 2024, counted. 9.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
9.9% of Volkswagen T-Cross tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 11.8%, so the T-Cross is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.7% of tests), brakes (2.4% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.1% of tests). It fails on brakes more often than most cars its age.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,451 | 8.6% | 10.9% | 20,400 14,200 to 28,000 |
| 2020 | 9,046 | 9.8% | 11.5% | 24,900 17,500 to 33,900 |
| 2019 | 7,505 | 11.9% | 13.4% | 29,600 21,000 to 39,000 |
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 T-Cross tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | T-Cross | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 2.7% | 3.0% | |
| Brakes | 2.4% | 1.3% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.1% | 1.8% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.0% | 1.9% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.3%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Brake discs0.7%
- Washers0.6%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Tyre tread0.5%
- Footbrake0.5%
- Rear fog light0.4%
- Wipers0.3%
- Engine warning light0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.5%
- Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.5%
- Washers: not working0.4%
- Footbrake: excessively fluctuating0.4%
- Rear fog light: not working0.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.2%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.5%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.8%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Volkswagen T-Cross's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.