2016 Volkswagen Amarok: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Volkswagen Amarok?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Volkswagen Amarok than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints38× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  7.6% All 2016 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

• Number plate lights3.7× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  10% All 2016 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Shock absorbers2.8× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  9.9% All 2016 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Braking performance2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Amarok

  5.5% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2016 Volkswagen Amarok MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  20% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  19% 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
  19% 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
  8% 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
  5% 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 2016 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 anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 38× as often on the 2016 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2016 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2016 Volkswagen Amarok as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?