2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 54.6% of Volkswagen Fox cars first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 7,021 Fox first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Fox cars first used in 2011 (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

Passed first time, 2025
54.6%
of 2,214 first tests; all cars first used in 2011: 61.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
7,021
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,214 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
23.7%
of 2,214 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
72,000
middle half: 52,000–91,000 miles; all cars first used in 2011: 98,000

How the 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Fox cars first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Fox figure was 6.6 points lower.

2011 FoxAll cars first used in 2011
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2011, test year 2021: 65.8%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2022: 64.5%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2023: 63%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2024: 61.8%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2025: 61.2%2011 Fox, test year 2021: 62%2011 Fox, test year 2022: 61.5%2011 Fox, test year 2023: 59%2011 Fox, test year 2024: 56%2011 Fox, test year 2025: 54.6%61.2%54.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year2011 FoxAll cars first used 2011Fox first tests
202162.0%65.8%2,548
202261.5%64.5%2,491
202359.0%63.0%2,425
202456.0%61.8%2,382
202554.6%61.2%2,214

Common 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT failures

Share of the 3,048 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment44.5%
Suspension39.7%
Visibility28.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks20.6%
Brakes19.6%
Body, chassis, structure16.8%
Tyres13.7%
Steering6.0%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Stop lamp: not working13.8%422
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid11.6%355
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.2%341
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits10.6%324
Position lamp: not working9.9%302

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2011 Volkswagen Fox before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 Fox cars, as a share of all 7,021 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.2%1,135
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing12.7%891
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases10.9%764
Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil6.7%473
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive4.6%325

Questions about the 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 Volkswagen Fox?

In 2025, 54.6% of Fox cars first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2011 Fox most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 44.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (39.7%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (28.2%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (13.8%).

How often does a 2011 Volkswagen Fox fail its MOT?

In 2025, 45.4% of first tests on Fox cars first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 35.6% failed, and a further 9.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,048 of 7,021 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.7%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (10.9%), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (6.7%) and “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (4.6%).

Is a 2011 Volkswagen Fox 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 62.0% in 2021 to 54.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2011

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2011 Volkswagen Fox MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2011 Fox” means a Volkswagen Fox whose date of first use falls in 2011 (60, 11 and 61 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2011, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.