2021 Volkswagen T-Cross United — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,026 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross United, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.5% | 36 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.3% | 34 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 10 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 10 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 6 | Washers | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.2% | 207 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 191 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 58 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 17 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.0% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 648 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 357 | 9.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 46 | 2.2% |
| 2024 | 492 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 488 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 T-Cross United
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross United, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 3.5% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (3.5% 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 (3.3% 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 (1.4% 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 Uniteds pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 1,026 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross United MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross United?
Brakes, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by tyres (3.3%).
Does the 2021 T-Cross United get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,026 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.