Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen Scirocco first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 2,701 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,701MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
60%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    21.2% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    11.9% All 2008 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    6% All 2008 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2008 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.

  • Anti-lock braking system2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    2.4% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.4% here, against 9.3% of all 2008 cars. Exhaust system: 4% here, against 8.6% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    36% 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 electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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%
2004–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992273Brakes 32%
1991245Brakes 36%
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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score