2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.4% of Volkswagen Amaroks first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 7,996 Amarok first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, noise, emissions and leaks and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Amaroks first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Amaroks first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Amarok figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Amarok | All cars first used 2018 | Amarok first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.7% | 87.6% | 2,984 |
| 2022 | 85.2% | 86.3% | 2,877 |
| 2023 | 82.0% | 84.2% | 2,757 |
| 2024 | 80.3% | 82.5% | 2,702 |
| 2025 | 80.4% | 80.9% | 2,537 |
Common 2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT failures
Share of the 1,526 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 21.0% | 321 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 13.4% | 204 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 8.5% | 130 |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | 7.3% | 112 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 6.8% | 104 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an Amarok in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | Handbrake cable replacement | £105 | £75–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Volkswagen Amarok before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Amaroks, as a share of all 7,996 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 10.5% | 838 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.0% | 717 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 6.3% | 502 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.1% | 250 |
| Anti-roll bar pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 2.9% | 229 |
Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Volkswagen Amarok?
In 2025, 80.4% of Amaroks first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Amarok most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 40.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (29.6%) and lamps and electrical equipment (23.1%). The single most common item was “Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction” (21.0%).
How often does a 2018 Volkswagen Amarok fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.6% of first tests on Amaroks first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 15.9% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,526 of 7,996 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Amarok MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 10.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.0%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (6.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.1%) and “Anti-roll bar pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (2.9%).
Is a 2018 Volkswagen Amarok reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.7% in 2021 to 80.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Amarok?
The numbers above cover every Amarok first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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