Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Scirocco: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Sciroccos, from 879 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

879MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    24.5% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    13.2% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    7.2% All 2008 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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

Exhaust system: 3.5% here, against 9% of all 2008 cars. Ball joint: 2.8% here, against 6.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% 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
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Volkswagen Scirocco?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018656Tyres 29%
20174,593Tyres 32%
20165,246Tyres 32%
20155,362Suspension 35%
20143,678Suspension 36%
20134,309Suspension 37%
20124,173Suspension 43%
20115,717Suspension 48%
20105,842Suspension 50%
20094,835Suspension 48%

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