2023 Volkswagen T-Cross: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen T-Cross first registered in 2023: we looked at the 384 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 384 MOTs of these cars during 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 2023 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2023 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres10% 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.
- Brakes7% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Exhaust and emissions1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
- Seats and seatbelts1% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2023 Volkswagen T-Cross
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- 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
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Volkswagen T-Cross
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Volkswagen T-Cross compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 7,445 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 9,053 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 7,547 | Tyres 27% |
| 2019 | 6,797 | Tyres 28% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen T-Cross cars first registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score