Used car guide · 1976–2018

Volkswagen Scirocco common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Scirocco, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 140,322 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1979 Volkswagen Scirocco

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen Scirocco as a whole.

40on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1979 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082004199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Scirocco?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Volkswagen Scirocco MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm

    up to 13.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Anti-lock braking system

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm

    up to 16× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

Volkswagen Scirocco MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco did best (60% passed first time, 3 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2018 did worst (83%, 0 points above all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201883%83% +01,929
201781%80% +113,734
201679%77% +215,731
201575%74% +116,220
201471%70% +111,126
201368%67% +113,061
201266%64% +212,846
201162%62% +017,801
201061%60% +118,500
200961%59% +215,594
200860%57% +32,848
199268%69% -1273 (small sample)
199170%71% -1245 (small sample)
199068%72% -4414 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Scirocco

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 15× as often on the Volkswagen Scirocco as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Volkswagen Scirocco as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Volkswagen Scirocco as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Scirocco?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score