2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Shock absorbers3× usual
  Volkswagen T-ROC

  7% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC 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
  23% 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
  5% 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
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC 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.

• Parking brake software recall (built to June 2018)

  Built to June 2018

  Faulty software could let the electronic parking brake release by itself, and cars built up to June 2018 were recalled. Some owners also report the parking brake being slow to release.

  At the viewing: Make sure the parking brake holds on a slope and releases cleanly, and ask for proof the recall was done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volkswagen T-Roc (Mk1, 2017 on) review

• Headrest and spoiler recalls

  Early cars

  Other recalls covered faulty rear headrests and a rear spoiler whose halves could separate.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volkswagen T-Roc (Mk1, 2017 on) review

• Cambelt due (diesel)

  Diesel

  The diesel’s cambelt is due every five years or 130,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice if it’s due.

  Source: Auto Express: used Volkswagen T-Roc (Mk1, 2017 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel

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

1. Has the parking brake software recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?