2021 Volkswagen ID3: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen ID3 first registered in 2021: we looked at the 20,473 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2021 Volkswagen ID3 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Volkswagen ID3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres27% 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 mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Brakes2% 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.
- Suspension2% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Known faults on the 2021 Volkswagen ID3
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All versions
Software and infotainment glitches
Early cars suffer infotainment crashes, blank screens, erratic voice control, adaptive cruise problems and persistent warning lights. Updates have fixed some but not all. Cars delivered before January 2021 lacked the final software.
At the viewing: Ask what software version it runs, and test the screen, navigation, phone link and cruise control.
Source: RAC: Volkswagen ID.3 (2020-2023) used car review, What Car?: Volkswagen ID.3 reliability
- All versions
12V battery and key faults
The 12V battery is a known problem, and some keys and the keyless entry have failed, locking owners out.
At the viewing: Make sure the car unlocks and starts reliably with each key.
- All versions
Battery self-discharge fix
VW called in more than 10,000 ID.3 and ID.4s worldwide to fix batteries that lost charge too quickly because of a manufacturing flaw.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg and ask whether the battery work was done.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Volkswagen ID3
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has it had all the software updates?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen ID3?
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 ID3 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 466 | Tyres 31% |
| 2022 | 9,859 | Tyres 29% |
| 2020 | 13,282 | Tyres 23% |
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 ID3 cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score