2020 Volkswagen T-Cross — MOT failures & pass rate
24,864 MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross are in this dataset, and 91.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.9% 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 (3.4%) and brakes (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, washers and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 654 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 15.5% in the 90-120k band, a 8.8-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.5% of the time against 9.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 853 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 793 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 447 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 373 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 132 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.4% | 109 |
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 | 654 |
| 2 | Washers | 290 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 263 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 251 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 219 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 197 |
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 | 19.9% | 4,959 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.3% | 4,543 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 1,478 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.8% | 703 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 519 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 345 |
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 | 16,083 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 8,017 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 697 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 58 | 15.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,969 | 8.5% |
| Diesel | 895 | 9.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 351 | 4.8% |
| 2023 | 8,189 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 8,013 | 8.2% |
| 2025 | 8,308 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 T-Cross
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (3.2% 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 (1.8% 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 2020 Volkswagen T-Crosss pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 24,864 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2020 T-Cross get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,864 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.