Used car guide

2011 Volkswagen FOX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Volkswagen FOXs, from 2,217 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,217MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

5,100typical miles a year

2.6×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Volkswagen FOXs than on all cars registered in 2011.

Exhaust system2.6× usual

Volkswagen FOX
16.5% All 2011 cars
6.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.7% of all 2011 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.
Ball joint dust cover3.6× usual

Volkswagen FOX
11.3% All 2011 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.3% of all 2011 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.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)6.1× usual

Volkswagen FOX
6.7% All 2011 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.1% of all 2011 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.
Washers2.7× usual

Volkswagen FOX
8.3% All 2011 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.
Shock absorbers1.7× usual

Volkswagen FOX
13.1% All 2011 cars
7.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.9% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.8% here, against 14.5% of all 2011 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.5% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Volkswagen FOX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

43% 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

35% 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

32% 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

19% 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

15% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2010	6,865	Suspension 48%
2009	4,319	Suspension 50%
2008	3,790	Suspension 53%
2007	3,917	Suspension 54%
2006	2,179	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Volkswagen FOXs registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score