2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Track rod ends10× usual
  Volkswagen T-Cross

  7% All 2019 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  13% 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.

• Suspension
  8% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross 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.

• Curtain airbag recall (built May to June 2019)

  Built mid-2019

  Curtain airbags might not fully deploy on cars built 21 May to 10 June 2019 and need replacing.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen T-Cross (2019 on) reliability

• Seatbelt warning software and electrical faults

  All engines

  An instrument cluster fault could stop the rear seatbelt warning. About 15% of owners reported faults, mainly electrics and exhaust, and two-thirds of those cars were off the road over a week.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the software was updated, and test the screen and reversing camera.

  Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen T-Cross (2019 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel

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

1. Has the curtain airbag recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2019 Volkswagen T-Cross diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?