Used car guide

2007 Volkswagen FOX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Volkswagen FOXs, from 3,917 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,917MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
4,700typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Volkswagen FOXs than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    18.9% All 2007 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 3.2% of all 2007 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.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    22.8% All 2007 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 4.7% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    17.3% All 2007 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.4% of all 2007 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.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    19% All 2007 cars
    11.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.6% of all 2007 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    10.9% All 2007 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.9% of all 2007 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars. Brake discs: 5.9% here, against 14.7% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Volkswagen FOX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    44% 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
    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
    24% 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
    19% 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%
20062,179Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Volkswagen FOXs registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score