Used car guide

2021 Volkswagen ID4 MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Volkswagen ID4 MAXs, from 193 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 193 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

193MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,600typical miles a year
33%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2021 Volkswagen ID4 MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    1% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    1% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Volkswagen ID4 MAX?

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Volkswagen ID4 MAXs registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score