Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Scirocco first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 8,950 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,950MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
9,200typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    14.8% All 2012 cars
    8.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    7.8% All 2012 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    4.3% All 2012 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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 covers2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    4.1% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Wheels2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    3.6% All 2012 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.4% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 0.4% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • 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
    26% 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
    8% 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
    4% 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 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel

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 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco 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 coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco diesel 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%
201117,801Suspension 43%
201018,500Suspension 47%
200915,594Suspension 43%
20082,848Suspension 45%
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 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score