2006 Volkswagen Fox — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,825 MOT tests, the 2006 Volkswagen Fox recorded a 71.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (28.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.9%) and suspension (13.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, joints and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 1,395 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Fox fails 29.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 32.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 2,958 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 2,588 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 1,982 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 1,690 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 1,684 |
| 6 | Brakes | 8.1% | 1,605 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 1,395 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,295 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,278 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,068 |
| 5 | Washers | 979 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 915 |
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 | 35.4% | 7,011 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 5,741 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 3,969 |
| 4 | Brakes | 19.4% | 3,851 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 3,629 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.6% | 2,108 |
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 | 2,205 | 29.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,909 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,543 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,565 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,664 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 419 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,793 | 28.8% |
| Diesel | 32 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,007 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 4,493 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 3,998 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 3,421 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 2,906 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Fox
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2006 Volkswagen Foxs pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 19,825 2006 Volkswagen Fox MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Fox?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2006 Fox get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,825 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.