Used car guide

2006 Volkswagen FOX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Volkswagen FOXs, from 2,179 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,179MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Volkswagen FOXs than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    17.7% All 2006 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    20.8% All 2006 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    16.8% All 2006 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Flexible brake hoses2× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    11.2% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    7.3% All 2006 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.3% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars. Brake discs: 6.6% here, against 14.3% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Volkswagen FOX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Volkswagen FOX?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,217Suspension 43%
20106,865Suspension 48%
20094,319Suspension 50%
20083,790Suspension 53%
20073,917Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Volkswagen FOXs registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score