Volkswagen Fox MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 28,376 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Fox carried out in 2023. 48% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 5 in 10 Foxes passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2006 to 2012. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (73% passed, +7.1 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2008 models fared worst (49%, −8.0 points). Tested cars had covered 76,008 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 21.7% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 9.9% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 28,376
- First-time pass rate
- 52%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −19.0 points
- Average mileage at test
- 76,008
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Fox?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Fox MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 88 | 73% | 66% | +7.1 points | 61,079 |
| 2011 | 2,425 | 59% | 63% | −4.0 points | 65,899 |
| 2010 | 7,874 | 53% | 60% | −7.1 points | 72,027 |
| 2009 | 5,031 | 53% | 59% | −6.1 points | 72,900 |
| 2008 | 4,702 | 49% | 57% | −8.0 points | 81,445 |
| 2007 | 5,266 | 49% | 57% | −7.5 points | 82,470 |
| 2006 | 2,989 | 54% | 56% | −2.5 points | 85,553 |
Why the Volkswagen Fox fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Fox | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 21.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 20.5% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 13.0% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 11.2% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.7% | 3.1% |
| Brakes | 8.8% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 3.3% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.7% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working9.9%
- 2ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.1%
- 3fractured or broken5.8%
- 4has a major leak of exhaust gases5.4%
- 5provides insufficient washer liquid5.2%
- 6Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits5.1%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively4.9%
- 8constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.8%
- 9has a serious fluid leak3.2%
- 10not working on dipped beam3.1%
Common Fox MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Fox, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 14.1% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 10.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.5% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 7.4% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 5.1% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 4.0% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% |
| incorrect colour | Lights and electrics | 3.7% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.7% |
Tips to help your Fox pass
Based on where Foxes most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 21.7% of Fox tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 13.0% of Fox tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Body and structure · 11.2% of Fox tests
Look underneath for corrosion
On older cars, check sills, subframe mounts and brake pipes for rust. Surface rust is common, but corrosion on structural or brake parts is a fail.
Compare with other models
Is the Fox ULEZ compliant? See the Volkswagen Fox ULEZ check, or view all Volkswagen models.
Other Volkswagen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 28,376 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Fox carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 28,376 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Fox.
What is the Volkswagen Fox MOT failure rate?
In our data, 48% of 28,376 first MOT attempts on the Volkswagen Fox ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volkswagen Fox fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (21.7% of tests), suspension (20.5% of tests), visibility (13.0% of tests).
Which Fox year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 73% passed first time, +7.1 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2008, at 49% (−8.0 points).
How many miles had a typical Volkswagen Fox covered at its MOT?
The average was 76,008 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2012 cars averaged 61,079 miles and 2006 cars 85,553.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen Fox?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.3% of Foxes failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Fox's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 28,376 Foxes in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 49% to 73% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readMOT advisories explained: what they mean and what to fix firstHalf of all cars tested in 2023 left with at least one advisory. They don't fail the MOT, but they're the tester's warning of what's coming next.Read the guide
Check any Fox's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.