Used car guide

2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Eos first registered in 2011 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,529 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,529MOTs of 2011 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
68%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%)
6,800typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for suspension arm

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel?

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

  • Suspension arm3.7× usual
    Volkswagen Eos
    9.3% All 2011 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Eos
    5.3% All 2011 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.9% here, against 7.5% of all 2011 cars. Sidelights: 0.8% here, against 5.5% of all 2011 cars.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    41% 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
    34% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    2% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Eos diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Eos?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Eos compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016–Too few tests
2015572Tyres 30%
2014992Tyres 33%
20131,331Tyres 35%
20121,113Tyres 35%
20105,804Suspension 49%
20093,782Suspension 41%
20087,458Suspension 43%
20078,551Suspension 47%
20062,972Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Eos cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score