2021 Volkswagen T-Cross — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,491 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross recorded a 92.7% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 7.2%, so the 2021 T-Cross sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (3.4%) and tyres (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, brake discs and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 526 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.9% versus 6.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.4% | 653 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.2% | 619 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 271 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 226 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 72 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 42 |
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 | 526 |
| 2 | Brake discs | 243 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 209 |
| 4 | Washers | 198 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 160 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 144 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.1% | 3,722 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 3,491 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 1,275 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 332 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.5% | 299 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 151 |
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 | 13,548 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 5,572 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 330 | 13.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,413 | 7.4% |
| Diesel | 78 | 3.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 332 | 4.5% |
| 2024 | 9,487 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 9,670 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 T-Cross
On a 2021 T-Cross, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (3.4% 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.
- Tyres (3.2% 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 (1.4% 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.
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-Crosss pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 19,491 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross?
Brakes, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by tyres (3.2%).
Does the 2021 T-Cross get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 13.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,491 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.