Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen CC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen CCs, from 2,130 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,130MOT tests in 2025

69%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)

9,800typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volkswagen CCs than on all cars registered in 2012.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual

Volkswagen CC
22.4% All 2012 cars
10.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Suspension arm2.2× usual

Volkswagen CC
5.7% All 2012 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual

Volkswagen CC
6% All 2012 cars
3.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Link ball joint covers1.9× usual

Volkswagen CC
4.7% All 2012 cars
2.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Airbag warning light3.8× usual

Volkswagen CC
2.3% All 2012 cars
0.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.3% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.4% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volkswagen CC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

45% 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.
Tyres

35% 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.
Brakes

23% 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.
Lights and electrics

16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

6% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Volkswagen CC?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2016	1,788	Tyres 32%
2015	2,628	Suspension 39%
2014	3,335	Suspension 40%
2013	3,006	Suspension 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volkswagen CCs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score