2012 Volkswagen Fox: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Fox first registered in 2012: we looked at the 258 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 258 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Fox?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Fox than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Shock absorbers2.1× usualVolkswagen Fox12.4% All 2012 cars5.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Common 2012 Volkswagen Fox MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Volkswagen Fox MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension33% 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.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Lights and electrics24% 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 mirrors15% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Brakes13% 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.
- Exhaust and emissions12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200
At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Fox
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Fox as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen Fox?
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 Fox compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6,958 | Suspension 37% |
| 2010 | 22,072 | Suspension 45% |
| 2009 | 13,955 | Suspension 47% |
| 2008 | 12,664 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 13,723 | Suspension 51% |
| 2006 | 7,671 | Suspension 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 Fox cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score