Used car guide

2020 Volkswagen ID3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Volkswagen ID3s, from 4,623 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,623MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,400typical miles a year
17×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Volkswagen ID3s than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints17× usual
    Volkswagen ID3
    3.4% All 2020 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.1% of all 2020 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

Brake pads: 0.6% here, against 9.3% of all 2020 cars. Brake discs: 1.8% here, against 9% of all 2020 cars.

By area

The share of 2020 Volkswagen ID3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Suspension
    7% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    4% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% 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 ID3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023335Tyres 30%
20228,425Tyres 29%
202110,410Tyres 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Volkswagen ID3s registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score