Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen FOX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen FOXs, from 3,790 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,790MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,000typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volkswagen FOXs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    18% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Headlights1.9× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    20.6% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 4.3% of all 2008 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 system2.1× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    18.8% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Washers2.7× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    10.6% All 2008 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 3.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.7× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    8.2% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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

Brake discs: 5.6% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 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
    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
    25% 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
    22% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    19% 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 FOX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,217Suspension 43%
20106,865Suspension 48%
20094,319Suspension 50%
20073,917Suspension 54%
20062,179Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volkswagen FOXs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score