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Volkswagen Amarok reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 151,017 MOT tests of cars first registered 2011–2020.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
77.9%pass first time
+3.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 72%of cars
151,017MOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen Amarok passes its MOT first time on 77.9% of tests, 3.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (74.0%). That puts it ahead of 72% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 Amarok does best (beats 79% of cars) and the 2015 worst (beats 71%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 73%) and the 3.0 Diesel worst (beats 71%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance3.5×as often as a typical car
Brake performance2.5×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light3.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131486%82%78%72%70%67%
Volkswagen AmarokTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2011
Beats 63%
2012
Beats 63%
2013
Beats 79%
2014
Beats 79%
2015
Beats 71%
2016
Beats 72%
2017
Beats 68%
2018
Beats 69%
2019
Beats 77%
2020
Beats 73%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2011–2017100,41675.4%Beats 73%B
3.0 Diesel2017–202050,60182.8%Beats 71%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 4.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 3.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+4.0 ptsBrakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.6 ptsSuspension: 4.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.8 ptsExhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 ptsSuspension: 4.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 9.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 3.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+4.0 ptsBrakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.6 ptsSuspension: 4.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.8 ptsExhaust: 2.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Brakes
8.2% vs 5.6%
Lights & electrics
8.2% vs 9.6%
Suspension
4.5% vs 6.3%
Tyres
3.0% vs 7.0%
Visibility
2.8% vs 4.3%
Emissions & leaks
2.5% vs 2.3%
Steering
1.6% vs 1.3%
Body & structure
0.9% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.5% vs 0.7%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 3.5× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Brake performance 2.5× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Shock absorbers 1.8× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%87%83%78%75%72%68%68%
Volkswagen AmarokTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance4.3%1.2%3.5×
Headlight aim2.3%2.8%0.8×
Brake pads2.0%2.6%0.8×
Brake performance1.8%0.7%2.5×
Shock absorbers1.6%0.9%1.8×
Tyre damage & cracking1.6%3.7%0.4×
Windscreen washers1.6%1.9%0.8×
Rear fog light1.5%0.4%3.5×
Engine warning light1.4%1.1%1.3×
Headlight bulbs & units1.4%1.8%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement24.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements22.5
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction21.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm18.9
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake17.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen15.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn15.2
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage15.0
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2020 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine85.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,51685.1%Beats 73%B
2019 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine84.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel15,06884.5%Beats 77%B
2018 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine82.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel15,99282.1%Beats 69%B
2017 Volkswagen Amarok2 engines80.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel13,02580.5%Beats 66%B
2.0 Diesel2,17082.0%Beats 78%B
2016 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine79.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel19,57679.8%Beats 72%B
2015 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine77.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel25,30977.8%Beats 71%B
2014 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine76.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel20,32376.4%Beats 79%B
2013 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine73.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,46873.4%Beats 79%B
2012 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine67.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel11,31667.3%Beats 63%B
2011 Volkswagen Amarok1 engine65.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,25465.1%Beats 63%B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Amarok MOT pass rate?

77.9% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen Amarok were passed first time, based on 151,017 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2011–2020. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 74.0% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen Amarok reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 72% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Amarok year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 Amarok does best for its age and mileage: it beats 79% of cars on UK roads. The 2015 does worst: it beats 71%.

Which Volkswagen Amarok engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 73% of cars on UK roads. The 3.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 71%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Amarok?

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, headlight aim, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 3.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.