2012 Volkswagen Cc — MOT failures & pass rate
14,483 MOT tests on the 2012 Volkswagen Cc are in this dataset, and 80.5% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (18.3% fail rate), the 2012 Cc comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.2%) and tyres (8.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 815 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.8% versus 10.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.2% | 1,332 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.1% | 1,173 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,054 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 503 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 389 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 359 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 815 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 580 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 490 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 435 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 343 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 281 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.4% | 4,108 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 4,066 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.6% | 2,701 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 1,050 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 503 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 495 |
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 | 47 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 817 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,226 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,434 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 3,329 | 20.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,628 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,343 | 19.5% |
| Petrol | 140 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,108 | 18.6% |
| 2022 | 3,017 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 2,934 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 2,778 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 2,646 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Cc
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Tyres (8.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% 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 2012 Volkswagen Ccs pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 14,483 2012 Volkswagen Cc MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volkswagen Cc?
Suspension, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by tyres (8.1%).
Does the 2012 Cc get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,483 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.