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What to check: Volkswagen CC

DBy miles

Ranked across all years of the Volkswagen CC, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 21.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

Underneath, with a torchRuns high on this modelGet down and look at the sills, the subframes and the rear suspension mounting points. Flaking scale and bubbling matter; light surface rust does not. On older cars this is the one check that finds the fault that scraps them.Recorded on 16.4% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.7%

DampersRuns high on this modelLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 5.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 2.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.4%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 1.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.4%

LeaksLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 2.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

WheelsRuns high on this modelLook at each rim for kerb damage and check no wheel nuts are missing. A steering wheel that shimmies between 50 and 60 on the test drive often turns out to be a buckled or badly balanced wheel.Recorded on 1.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 26.9% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 16.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 10.1%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.7%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Start the engine from cold and listen for a minute before driving off.A rattly, chainsaw-like noise that fades as it warms up points to timing chain tensioner wear on the 2.0 TSI petrol.

Ask for DSG service history if it's an automatic, and check the fluid change is stamped in every 40k miles.No history of fluid changes means the mechatronic unit and clutch pack are more likely to be on borrowed time.

On the test drive, accelerate briskly from low revs and let it idle at a stop.A stutter, shake or rough idle suggests failing ignition coils.

On a diesel, watch for the engine light, a lack of power, or juddering under load.Could mean a clogged EGR valve or DPF, especially on a car that's done mostly short trips.

Drive slowly over a speed bump or rough patch and listen for clunks from the front end.A knock over bumps usually means worn front control arm bushes or ball joints.

Check the coolant level and look for any recent coolant top-ups or leaks in the service history.Could point to a failing auxiliary coolant pump, which risks the turbo or engine overheating if ignored.

Pull the full MOT history, not just the latest pass.Repeated suspension advisories year after year mean the clunk has been there and nobody has fixed it.

Full Volkswagen CC reliability report