Used car guide

2009 Volkswagen FOX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Volkswagen FOXs, from 4,319 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,319MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Volkswagen FOXs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    18.9% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 3.9% of all 2009 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× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    16.7% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    13.4% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.9× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    7.5% All 2009 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 1.8% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Volkswagen FOX
    11% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.9% here, against 14.4% of all 2009 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Volkswagen FOX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    41% 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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
    18% 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%
20083,790Suspension 53%
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 2009 Volkswagen FOXs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score