2019 Volkswagen T-Cross — MOT failures & pass rate
29,454 MOT tests on the 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (8.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and brakes (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, track rod end and brake discs — brake pads alone was recorded 662 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.5% in the 0-30k band and 17.2% in the 90-120k band, a 10.7-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 8.4% of the time against 9.2% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 1,211 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.9% | 860 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 451 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 394 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.1% | 330 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 162 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 662 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 409 |
| 3 | Brake discs | 340 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 328 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 278 |
| 6 | Washers | 262 |
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 | 22.3% | 6,561 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 5,063 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.7% | 1,959 |
| 4 | Steering | 3.5% | 1,033 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 626 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 565 |
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 | 17,793 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 10,442 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,099 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,467 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 987 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 7,136 | 5.4% |
| 2023 | 7,298 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 7,258 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 7,710 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2019 T-Cross
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Brakes (2.9% 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 (1.5% 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 2019 Volkswagen T-Crosss pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 29,454 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by brakes (2.9%).
Does the 2019 T-Cross get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,454 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.