Volkswagen T-Cross common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen T-Cross, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 68,514 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
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).
What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen T-Cross?
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.
- Cars registered in 2019 · Built mid-2019
Curtain airbag recall (built May to June 2019)
Curtain airbags might not fully deploy on cars built 21 May to 10 June 2019 and need replacing.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the recall was done.
Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen T-Cross (2019 on) reliability
- Cars registered 2019–2025 · All engines
Seatbelt warning software and electrical faults
An instrument cluster fault could stop the rear seatbelt warning. About 15% of owners reported faults, mainly electrics and exhaust, and two-thirds of those cars were off the road over a week.
At the viewing: Ask whether the software was updated, and test the screen and reversing camera.
Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen T-Cross (2019 on) reliability
Common Volkswagen T-Cross MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Brake pads
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Brake discs
up to 2.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.
Track rod ends
up to 7.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Volkswagen T-Cross MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross did best (91% passed first time, 4 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2020 did worst (89%, 2 points above all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen T-Cross
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the curtain airbag recall been done?
- Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Volkswagen T-Cross as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Volkswagen T-Cross as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the Volkswagen T-Cross as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen T-Cross?
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