2011 Volkswagen Amarok: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volkswagen Amarok?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rear fog light10× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  8% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 0.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints11.2× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  6.7% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Chassis rust or damage4.3× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  3.4% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Handbrake performance4× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  3.2% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Amarok MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  27% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  27% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  22% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  8% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Volkswagen Amarok

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 11.2× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?