Model reliability

Volkswagen Eos reliability

The Volkswagen Eos fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 35.9% of 12,830 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old

18.9% failed their MOT

Better than most

From 1,027 MOT tests of Volkswagen Eoss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 77% more oftenTyre condition6.2% vs 3.5%Fix about £90

Fails 88% more oftenSprings4.5% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 71% more oftenDirection indicators1.2% vs 0.7%

Advised 36% more oftenSuspension arms7.2% vs 5.3%

Advised 2× as oftenShock absorbers6.4% vs 3%Fix about £200

Over 10 years old

35.9% failed their MOT

About average

From 12,830 MOT tests of Volkswagen Eoss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 78% more oftenSprings7.3% vs 4.1%Fix about £150

Fails 62% more oftenAnti-roll bars6.8% vs 4.2%

Fails 59% more oftenTyre condition6.5% vs 4.1%Fix about £90

Fails 42% more oftenTransmission3.7% vs 2.6%

Advised 40% more oftenAnti-roll bars8.4% vs 6%

Advised 42% more oftenShock absorbers7.1% vs 5%Fix about £200

Advised 2× as oftenTransmission5.8% vs 2.9%

Safety recalls

6 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Eos

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2025/35722 Aug 2025Built 2010Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement

Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.

Fix: The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service.

Recalled models: EOS · 2 vehicles

R/2023/17813 Jun 2023Built 2008–2015Takata Front airbag

The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress.

Fix: Replace airbag

Recalled models: EOS (1F) · 4,116 vehicles

R/2018/0627 Mar 2018Built 2011Starter motor may malfunction and overheat

On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.

Recalled models: EOS · 16,625 vehicles

R/2017/18920 Jun 2017Built 2008–2010Abs/esc system may fail

On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system

Fix: On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.

Recalled models: EOS · 64,192 vehicles

R/2011/16915 Dec 2011Built 2009–2011Fuel may leak

On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.

Fix: Anti-vibration balance weights will be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.

Recalled models: EOS · 33,719 vehicles

R/2009/11014 Dec 2009Built 2008–2009Clutch may operate inadvertently with unexpected loss of drive

In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit.

Recalled models: EOS · 3,514 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Volkswagen Eos before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Volkswagen Eos reliability

6 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Eos

Checking a Volkswagen Eos before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.