Used car guide

2016 Volkswagen Scirocco: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Volkswagen Sciroccos, from 5,246 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,246MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,600typical miles a year
10.7×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Volkswagen Sciroccos than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm10.7× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    7.5% All 2016 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2016 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    9.1% All 2016 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Wheels2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    2.4% All 2016 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

By area

The share of 2016 Volkswagen Scirocco MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    24% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    9% 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
    6% 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
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018656Tyres 29%
20174,593Tyres 32%
20155,362Suspension 35%
20143,678Suspension 36%
20134,309Suspension 37%
20124,173Suspension 43%
20115,717Suspension 48%
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 2016 Volkswagen Sciroccos registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score