Volkswagen Arteon MOT Failures
An analysis of 17,895 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volkswagen Arteon — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 3H (2017–2023).
Where the Volkswagen Arteon fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volkswagen Arteon is abs fault — this model is 5.5 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 17,895 MOT tests, 2.63% of all Volkswagen Arteon tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (10x the fleet average), tyre cords visible or damaged (6.1x the fleet average), tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separa... (5.4x the fleet average), and wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... (5.4x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volkswagen Arteon's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Tyres, Wheels, Seatbelts & Airbags. If you're inspecting a Volkswagen Arteon before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Volkswagen Arteon's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Volkswagen Arteon specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake fluid significantly below minimum mark (10x the average) and tyre cords visible or damaged (6.1x). abs fault (5.5x) and tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separa... (5.4x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
The standout failure at this mileage is wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... at 5.4x the fleet average.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
The standout failure at this mileage is abs fault at 5.2x the fleet average.
The shift from brake fluid significantly below minimum mark at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volkswagen Arteon specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Shock absorber failure (3H) Major
The Arteon's electronically controlled dampers (DCC - Dynamic Chassis Control where fitted) and conventional shock absorbers show abnormally high failure rates compared to the fleet average. Affects 3H; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Water pump failure (3H) Major
The EA888 engine's water pump, integral to the cooling system, suffers from premature impeller failure and bearing wear. Affects 3H; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Engine MIL and emissions fault (3H TDI) Major
This typically relates to EGR valve carbon build-up, DPF regeneration issues, or AdBlue system faults specific to the post-2015 emissions control strategy. Affects 3H; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
AdBlue issues (3H)
The AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) system on EA288 TDI engines experiences sensor failures, pump blockages, and crystallization issues that trigger warning lights and eventual engine start prevention. Affects 3H; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volkswagen Arteon common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Arteon
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volkswagen Arteon:
Suspension — check for abs fault. Brakes — check for brake fluid significantly below minimum mark. Tyres — check for tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separa....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about shock absorber failure and water pump failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen Arteon?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Volkswagen Arteon MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Arteon?
Based on 17,895 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 6x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake fluid significantly below minimum mark and tyre cords visible or damaged.
Is the Volkswagen Arteon reliable based on MOT data?
The Volkswagen Arteon has 6 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag shock absorber failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include abs fault, brake fluid significantly below minimum mark, tyre cords visible or damaged.
How do I check a Volkswagen Arteon's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.