Volkswagen Arteon (2018)
2018 Volkswagen Arteon
CarHunch analysed 2,189 real MOT records for the 2018 Volkswagen Arteon. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Volkswagen Arteon passes its MOT first time at 85.5%, which is a solid 5.5 percentage points above the UK average—but the 27.5% of vehicles that have recorded a dangerous defect at some point is a genuine concern for buyers. Petrol versions perform notably better, with an 88% pass rate compared to 83% for diesels, suggesting the petrol engine is the more robust choice if you're choosing between the two.
At 41,898 miles median, these cars are running relatively light for their age, which explains the manageable 0.66 average failures per vehicle. However, the high advisory rate of 4.8 per vehicle points to accumulating minor issues—typically wear items and sensor faults—so budget for preventative maintenance and have any purchase inspected thoroughly for those dangerous defects before committing.
What to check before buying a 2018 Volkswagen Arteon
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 27.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Arteon
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (50%) | 1,094 | 88% | 0.65 |
| Diesel (50%) | 1,092 | 83% | 0.67 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 Volkswagen Arteon vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2018 Volkswagen Arteon vehicles fall between 32,853 and 52,528 miles.
2018 Volkswagen Arteon — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 1,914 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Volkswagen Arteon
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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34.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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32.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.4%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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19.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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15.4%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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15.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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14.8%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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12.8%
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Arteon?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.