2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Volkswagen T-Cross

  12.5% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Brake discs1.6× usual
  Volkswagen T-Cross

  11.9% All 2020 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Track rod ends7.5× usual
  Volkswagen T-Cross

  3% All 2020 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2020 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 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  23% 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
  20% 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
  4% 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross 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.

• 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 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross 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 brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2020 Volkswagen T-Cross petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?