2012 Volkswagen Amarok: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Amarok?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Amarok than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints16.6× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  8.3% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Shock absorbers2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  12.1% All 2012 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.6% of all 2012 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.

• Rear fog light8.4× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  5.9% All 2012 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering rack7× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  3.5% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Amarok MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  30% 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Tyres
  21% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Steering
  6% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Amarok

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 16.6× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 8.4× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?