2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 951 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).

Pass rate

951

MOT tests analysed

6.8%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	4.5%	43
2	Brakes	2.2%	21
3	Lighting & signalling	0.6%	6
4	Visibility	0.6%	6
5	Other defects	0.2%	2
6	Seat belts & restraints	0.2%	2

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Brake pads	18
2	Service brake performance	7
3	Brake discs	4
4	Washers	4
5	Headlamp aim	3
6	Registration plates	3

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Brakes	16.9%	161
2	Tyres	13.5%	128
3	Other defects	5.1%	48
4	Steering	2.3%	22
5	Visibility	0.8%	8
6	Road wheels	0.4%	4

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	728	5.8%
30-60k	213	10.8%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2024	464	6.5%
2025	477	7.1%

What to check before buying a 2021 T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A

Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.5% of tests for this year.

Tyres (4.5% 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.
Brakes (2.2% 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.
Lighting & signalling (0.6% 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 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-As pass their MOT?

93.2% of the 951 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by brakes (2.2%).

Does the 2021 T-Cross R-Line Evo S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 10.8% in the 30-60k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 951 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.