2018 Volkswagen Scirocco — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Volkswagen Scirocco passed 88.1% of its 3,769 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.9 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 9.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.6% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 128 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.7% once past 90-120k — 2.6× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.2pp more often than petrol ones (15.5% vs 11.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 250 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.5% | 133 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 87 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 66 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 40 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 128 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 84 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 55 |
| 5 | Washers | 40 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 24 |
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 | 22.6% | 852 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 563 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 192 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.5% | 169 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 139 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 2.4% | 89 |
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 | 1,479 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,837 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 411 | 18.3% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,161 | 11.3% |
| Diesel | 608 | 15.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 808 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 768 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 729 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 731 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 733 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Scirocco
On a 2018 Scirocco, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.6% 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.
- Visibility (3.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% 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 2018 Volkswagen Sciroccos pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 3,769 2018 Volkswagen Scirocco MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volkswagen Scirocco?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by visibility (3.5%).
Does the 2018 Scirocco get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,769 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.