Used car guide

2015 Volkswagen Amarok: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Volkswagen Amaroks, from 2,608 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,608MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
10,600typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Volkswagen Amaroks than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Shock absorbers2.7× usual
    Volkswagen Amarok
    14% All 2015 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints27.7× usual
    Volkswagen Amarok
    8.3% All 2015 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Braking performance1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Amarok
    6.2% All 2015 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Windscreen2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Amarok
    5.3% All 2015 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5% here, against 13.4% of all 2015 cars. Brake discs: 5.7% here, against 13% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    28% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    22% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Amarok?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,570Tyres 19%
20192,951Brakes 19%
20182,530Brakes 20%
20172,086Brakes 23%
20162,353Suspension 24%
20142,131Suspension 31%
20131,756Suspension 31%
20121,182Suspension 34%
2011540Lights and electrics 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Volkswagen Amaroks registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score