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Volkswagen T-Roc reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 360,742 MOT tests of cars first registered 2018–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
90.7%pass first time
+4.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 94%of cars
360,742MOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen T-Roc passes its MOT first time on 90.7% of tests, 4.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (86.0%). That puts it ahead of 94% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 T-Roc does best (beats 97% of cars) and the 2022 worst (beats 85%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 97%) and the 1.0 Petrol worst (beats 84%).

Better than average on tyres, visibility, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belt condition2.5×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.

75%80%85%90%95%34567892%91%90%90%89%89%
Volkswagen T-RocTypical 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.

2018
Beats 94%
2019
Beats 97%
2020
Beats 94%
2021
Beats 92%
2022
Beats 85%
2023
Beats 88%

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
1.5 Petrol2018–2023193,33291.9%Beats 97%A
1.0 Petrol2018–202388,86689.1%Beats 84%A
1.6 Diesel2018–202038,03288.1%Beats 90%A
2.0 Diesel2018–202223,27891.1%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol2018–202217,23491.7%Beats 96%A

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: 0.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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: 0.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.4% 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: 1.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.1% 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: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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: 1.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.1% 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+1.1 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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+0.8 ptsSuspension: 0.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.4% 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+1.0 ptsExhaust: 0.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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+0.3 ptsSuspension: 0.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.4% 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: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.1% 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: 1.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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: 0.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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: 1.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.2% 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+1.8 ptsTyres: 4.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.1% 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+1.1 ptsBrakes: 1.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.3% 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+0.8 ptsSuspension: 0.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.4% 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+1.0 ptsExhaust: 0.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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+0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 0.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.8% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
4.0% vs 5.1%
Visibility
2.0% vs 3.1%
Brakes
1.6% vs 2.3%
Lights & electrics
1.4% vs 3.2%
Seat belts & airbags
0.6% vs 0.3%
Emissions & leaks
0.5% vs 0.8%
Suspension
0.3% vs 1.4%
Body & structure
0.1% vs 0.5%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k96%92%89%87%85%82%
Volkswagen T-RocTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.4%3.4%0.7×
Tyre tread depth1.4%1.6%0.9×
Windscreen wipers1.3%2.0%0.7×
Brake pads1.2%1.5%0.8×
Headlight aim1.0%1.5%0.7×
Windscreen washers0.6%1.1%0.6×
Seat belt condition0.4%0.2%2.5×
Engine warning light0.4%0.5%0.8×
Shock absorbers0.2%0.3%0.9×
Brake discs0.2%0.4%0.6×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged18.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements14.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen13.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm11.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen5.9
A tyre cords visible or damaged5.3
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction4.3
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.

2023 Volkswagen T-Roc2 engines91.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol8,45692.4%Beats 92%A
1.0 Petrol2,56790.0%Beats 69%B
2022 Volkswagen T-Roc4 engines91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol19,50091.9%Beats 87%A
1.0 Petrol6,92290.1%Beats 70%B
2.0 Diesel2,16191.3%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol1,80691.9%Beats 88%A
2021 Volkswagen T-Roc4 engines91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol39,83392.1%Beats 95%A
1.0 Petrol13,33289.9%Beats 79%B
2.0 Diesel4,92690.9%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol2,35592.0%Beats 95%A
2020 Volkswagen T-Roc5 engines91.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol38,57492.0%Beats 96%A
1.0 Petrol18,22089.3%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol3,06692.9%Beats 99%A
2.0 Diesel3,05892.2%Beats 99%A
1.6 Diesel2,08089.9%Beats 94%A
2019 Volkswagen T-Roc5 engines90.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol47,09392.6%Beats 99%A
1.6 Diesel24,64388.3%Beats 91%A
1.0 Petrol16,56789.4%Beats 91%A
2.0 Diesel10,57491.2%Beats 98%A
2.0 Petrol3,19191.7%Beats 97%A
2018 Volkswagen T-Roc5 engines89.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol39,87690.7%Beats 97%A
1.0 Petrol31,25888.1%Beats 86%A
1.6 Diesel11,30987.5%Beats 88%A
2.0 Petrol6,81691.0%Beats 97%A
2.0 Diesel2,55989.7%Beats 97%A

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen T-Roc MOT pass rate?

90.7% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen T-Roc were passed first time, based on 360,742 tests between 2020 and 2026 of cars first registered 2018–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 86.0% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen T-Roc reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 94% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen T-Roc year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 T-Roc does best for its age and mileage: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 2022 does worst: it beats 85%.

Which Volkswagen T-Roc engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 1.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 84%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen T-Roc?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, seat belt condition comes up 2.5× 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.