Volkswagen Taro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Taro car check
Is the Volkswagen Taro reliable? We analysed 4,174 real MOT tests across 648 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Taro? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Taro is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, fog lamp not working and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Taro.
Volkswagen Taro Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Taro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Taro MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Taro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Taro Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Taro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Taro Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Taro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Taro MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Taro year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 570 | 61.8% | 83,540 | 101,526 | 132,856 |
| 1991 | 978 | 63.7% | 87,400 | 120,735 | 146,173 |
| 1990 | 2,416 | 64.9% | 101,692 | 135,380 | 163,952 |
| 1989 | 167 | 65.9% | 122,152 | 143,830 | 162,754 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Taro Last?
Based on 648 Volkswagen Taro vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Taro Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Taro MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Taro
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.9% MOT pass rate from 167 tests
61.8% MOT pass rate from 570 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Taro is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.9% across 167 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Taro Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Taro THIS CAR | 64.3% | 4,174 | 128,671 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Kia Sportage Gt-line CRDI Isg MHEV | 86.7% | 6,511 | 34,186 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Taro trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Taro you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen TaroShould you buy a used Volkswagen Taro?
The Volkswagen Taro has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.3% across 4,174 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Taro are brake pipe excessively corroded (301 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (200), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (191). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volkswagen Taro owner drives around 2,878 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Taro models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.