Used car guide

2011 Volkswagen Scirocco: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Volkswagen Sciroccos, from 5,717 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,717MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm3.4× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    11.3% All 2011 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    6.6% All 2011 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.6% 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.

  • Headlight levelling6.7× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    2% All 2011 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.6% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 2% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    37% 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
    29% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% 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.

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%
20105,842Suspension 50%
20094,835Suspension 48%
2008879Suspension 50%

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