2020 Volkswagen Arteon — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,983 MOT tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Arteon recorded an 89.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.6% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, shock absorbers and srs malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 89 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Arteon fails 9.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.7% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.6% of the time against 11.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.9% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.6% | 379 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.8% | 87 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 70 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.2% | 59 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 52 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.6% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 89 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 80 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 51 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 44 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 6 | Wipers | 31 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.4% | 969 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.6% | 726 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 419 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 321 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 119 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.9% | 47 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,880 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,492 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 505 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 12.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,690 | 10.6% |
| Diesel | 1,293 | 11.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 82 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 1,690 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 1,637 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 1,573 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Arteon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.6% 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 (1.8% 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.
- Brakes (1.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 Arteons pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 4,983 2020 Volkswagen Arteon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Arteon?
Tyres, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by suspension (1.8%).
Does the 2020 Arteon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 12.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,983 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.