2021 Volkswagen Arteon — MOT failures & pass rate
3,298 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon are in this dataset, and 89.7% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 9.8%, so the 2021 Arteon sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.2% of all tests — 5.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 51 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 12.2% in the 90-120k band, a 4.0-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (10.9% vs 8.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.7% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 236 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.5% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 47 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 31 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.6% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 17 |
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 | 51 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 46 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 6 | Washers | 10 |
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 | 18.3% | 602 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 434 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 229 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.1% | 202 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 81 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 23 |
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 | 1,192 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,618 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 399 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 74 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,717 | 8.8% |
| Diesel | 1,180 | 10.9% |
| Hybrid | 401 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 1,632 | 10.5% |
| 2025 | 1,616 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Arteon
On a 2021 Arteon, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.2% 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 (1.5% 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 2021 Volkswagen Arteons pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 3,298 2021 Volkswagen Arteon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Arteon?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by suspension (1.5%).
Does the 2021 Arteon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,298 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.