2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 668 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.1%).

Pass rate

668

MOT tests analysed

6.3%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Brakes	3.4%	23
2	Tyres	2.3%	15
3	Lighting & signalling	1.9%	13
4	Visibility	0.6%	4
5	Steering	0.3%	2
6	Emissions & environmental	0.3%	2

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Brake pads	18
2	Headlamp aim	14
3	Brake discs	9
4	Service brake performance	6
5	Wipers	4
6	Track rod end	4

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Brakes	24.9%	166
2	Tyres	19.0%	127
3	Other defects	7.0%	47
4	Visibility	1.5%	10
5	Steering	1.5%	10
6	Suspension	0.9%	6

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 T-Cross S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	512	4.9%
30-60k	145	11.7%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 T-Cross S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2024	319	5.6%
2025	348	6.9%

What to check before buying a 2021 T-Cross S-A

Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 3.4% of tests for this year.

Brakes (3.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Tyres (2.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-As pass their MOT?

93.7% of the 668 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.3% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross S-A?

Brakes, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by tyres (2.3%).

Does the 2021 T-Cross S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 11.7% in the 30-60k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 668 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.