2018 Volkswagen T-ROC petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen T-ROC first registered in 2018 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 39,592 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Brakes20% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension4% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts4% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics2% 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 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.
- Built to June 2018
Parking brake software recall (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
- Early cars
Headrest and spoiler recalls
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
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volkswagen T-ROC petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the parking brake software recall been done?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen T-ROC?
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 T-ROC compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 1,617 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 18,137 | Tyres 21% |
| 2021 | 42,543 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 50,234 | Tyres 25% |
| 2019 | 62,170 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | – | 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 T-ROC cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score