Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen Scirocco first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 3,896 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,896MOTs of 2012 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
7,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm

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

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

  • Suspension arm2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    4.1% All 2012 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, 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 covers1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Scirocco
    3.7% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, 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.

Better than most

Ball joint: 1.7% here, against 5.2% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 2.4% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    30% 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.

  • Brakes
    24% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 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 2012 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 suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Scirocco petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. 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