Used car guide

1991 Volkswagen Scirocco: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Scirocco first registered in 1991: we looked at the 245 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 245 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

245MOTs of 1991 cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 1991 cars: 71%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco than on all cars registered in 1991.

  • Wheel bearings2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    20% All 1991 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.3% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Common 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    32% 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
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% 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 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco

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

  1. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1991 Volkswagen Scirocco as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Scirocco?

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 Scirocco compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,929Tyres 31%
201713,734Tyres 32%
201615,731Tyres 32%
201516,220Tyres 33%
201411,126Tyres 35%
201313,061Tyres 35%
201212,846Suspension 37%
201117,801Suspension 43%
201018,500Suspension 47%
200915,594Suspension 43%
20082,848Suspension 45%
2004–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992273Brakes 32%
1990414Lights and electrics 27%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests

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 Scirocco cars first registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score