2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 1,007 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).

Pass rate

1,007

MOT tests analysed

13.5%

Fail rate

worse than

vs cars of similar age

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	9.1%	92
2	Suspension	3.1%	31
3	Lighting & signalling	1.6%	16
4	Brakes	1.5%	15
5	Seat belts & restraints	1.4%	14
6	Visibility	0.9%	9

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Shock absorbers	36
2	SRS malfunction indicator lamp	12
3	Brake pads	10
4	Brake discs	8
5	Wipers	7
6	Service brake performance	7

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	19.3%	194
2	Brakes	18.6%	187
3	Suspension	10.6%	107
4	Other defects	9.4%	95
5	Visibility	2.8%	28
6	Road wheels	1.8%	18

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2020 Arteon R-Line S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	385	13.0%
30-60k	555	14.1%
60-90k	61	11.5%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2020 Arteon R-Line S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	350	15.7%
2024	340	15.0%
2025	315	9.5%

What to check before buying a 2020 Arteon R-Line S-A

Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 9.1% of tests for this year.

Tyres (9.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Suspension (3.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-As pass their MOT?

86.5% of the 1,007 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.1%).

Does the 2020 Arteon R-Line S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 11.5% in the 60-90k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 1,007 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.