Skip to content
Quelle Occasion
Menu

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Volkswagen T-Cross I: the buying guide

SUV · since 2019 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 24 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€438/month
Indicative prices
€15,000 – €23,800

4 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Volkswagen T-Cross I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Urban SUV rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2019, with a sliding rear bench that varies the boot from 385 to 455 litres. Two safety recalls affect the early examples (curtain airbags and rear seat belt reminder), reliability surveys point mainly to the electronics, and the DSG7 gearbox attracts complaints. A manual gearbox version, with the recalls carried out, is the most reassuring choice.

Reliability
4.5/5
Indicative prices
€15,000 – €23,800
Monthly cost
€438
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 115.

  • 1.0 TSI 95

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 95 hp · 5.6 L/100 km · 127 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo three-cylinder with 5-speed manual gearbox. Comfortable in town; the lever needs working on hilly roads. Carried over at the 2024 facelift.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.0 TSI 115

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo three-cylinder with 6-speed manual gearbox (also available with DSG7). Considered the best engine in the range by Caradisiac.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.0 TSI 116 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 116 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Version of the facelifted 2024 T-Cross: the 1.0 TSI goes from 110 to 116 hp and is now offered only with the DSG7 gearbox.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo four-cylinder, only with the DSG7 dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The most powerful in the range.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.6 TDI 95

    Diesel · Manual · 95 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Four-cylinder diesel with 250 Nm, 5-speed manual or DSG7 gearbox. Absent from the 2024 facelifted range.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.6 TDI (EA288)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

Market prices

€15,000 – €23,800

Indicative range: 2019 to 2025, yearly medians of 857 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Jerking and clutch wear in the DSG7 gearbox

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The DSG7 dual-clutch automatic gearbox with dry clutches (DQ200) can judder and hesitate when pulling away and at low speed. A South African used-car guide names it as the main weak point of the T-Cross, and an owner of a 2019 1.0 TSI DSG T-Cross had the clutches replaced at 75,000 km. Manual gearbox versions are not affected.

Versions
1.0 TSI 115, 1.0 TSI 116 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.6 TDI 95
Onset
from 75,000 km
Repair
not documented

Electronics bugs (multimedia, reversing camera)

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

In the What Car? reliability survey, non-engine electrics are the main source of T-Cross faults; owners cite bugs in the multimedia system and the reversing camera. Most repairs were carried out free of charge under warranty. In South Africa, Volkswagen bought back a T-Cross affected by software bugs that the network could not fix.

Versions
1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 115, 1.0 TSI 116 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.6 TDI 95
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Curtain airbags that may deploy poorly (recall)

Manufacturer recall

On T-Crosses built between late May and June 2019, the weld on the gas generator nozzle of the curtain airbags may be faulty: in the event of an accident, the airbag may not inflate properly. Volkswagen launched a recall (code 69AN, European Rapex alert 17/2020) to replace the parts concerned free of charge.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 115, 1.0 TSI 116 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.6 TDI 95
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Rear seat belt reminder not working (recall)

Manufacturer recall

A software fault in the instrument cluster control unit can prevent the visual and audible alert when a rear passenger has not fastened their seat belt. The remedy is a software update for the instrument cluster, carried out free of charge at an approved workshop in about half an hour.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 115, 1.0 TSI 116 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.6 TDI 95
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Volkswagen T-Cross”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€138
Insurance€68
Maintenance€37
Depreciation€195
Total per month€438

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€138

1.0 TSI 95 version: combined consumption of 5.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

5.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €138

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€68

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€37

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€195

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Have a Volkswagen dealer check, using the serial number, that the curtain airbag and rear seat belt reminder recalls have been carried out.
  • On a DSG7: long test drive in town with starts and manoeuvres; reject the car if there is jerking, juddering or a gearbox warning message.
  • Test the multimedia screen, the phone connection and the reversing camera, and check that no warning light stays on.
  • Check that the rear bench slides properly.
  • Check the service book and the invoices, especially any work on the DSG7 gearbox.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the curtain airbag and rear seat belt reminder recalls been carried out? Do you have the repair orders?
  • Has the DSG7 gearbox already been repaired, reprogrammed, or have its clutches been replaced?
  • Have any electronic faults been dealt with under warranty?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Renault Captur

II · since 2019

Excellent choice
Price
€11,495 – €17,990
Reliability
5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Hybrid

Photo: MoCars, CC0

Peugeot 2008

II · since 2019

Buy with care
Price
€9,500 – €22,000
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota Yaris Cross

I · since 2021

Good choice
Price
€21,440 – €28,490
Reliability
not rated
Fuel types
Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Citroën C3 Aircross

I · 2017–2024

Extra caution
Price
€8,980 – €14,895
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Volkswagen T-Cross I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What Euro NCAP rating does the Volkswagen T-Cross have?

5 stars in 2019, with 97% for adult occupant protection, 86% for children, 81% for vulnerable road users and 80% for safety assist systems.

What is the boot capacity of the T-Cross?

385 litres with the rear bench pushed back and 455 litres with it pushed forward at most, up to 1,281 litres with the backrests folded.

Should I avoid the DSG7 gearbox on a used T-Cross?

Not necessarily, but it attracts complaints: jerking at low speed and cases of replaced clutches. A manual gearbox is more reassuring; a DSG7 should be bought after a long test drive in town.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Volkswagen T-Cross listing: price, mileage, watch points.

Get notified at launch