Used car guide

2018 Volkswagen T-ROC: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Volkswagen T-ROCs, from 15,809 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,809MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,200typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Volkswagen T-ROCs than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Volkswagen T-ROC
    5.1% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    6% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,591Tyres 14%
202216,103Tyres 22%
202118,041Tyres 24%
202016,807Tyres 28%
201920,865Tyres 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Volkswagen T-ROCs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score