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

Used Volkswagen T-Roc I: the buying guide

SUV · 2017–2025 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 31 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
3.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€512/month
Indicative prices
€16,300 – €28,000

6 known faults

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

Photo 1 of 5

Volkswagen T-Roc I, front three-quarter view

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

Verdict

Buy with care

Compact SUV rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2017, with a 445 L boot in front-wheel drive. The documented points to watch mainly concern the 2017-2021 period: jerking in the DSG7 gearbox, cold jerking of the 1.5 TSI, the water pump of the 1.6 TDI, and safety recalls (rear spoiler, brake pedal). A cold test drive and checking the recalls by VIN number are essential.

Reliability
3.5/5
Indicative prices
€16,300 – €28,000
Monthly cost
€512
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.5 TSI 150, 2.0 TDI 150 4Motion DSG7.

  • 1.0 TSI 115

    Petrol · Manual · 115 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 117 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    999 cm³ turbo three-cylinder, 6-speed manual gearbox, reserved for the entry-level trims. Offered at 110 hp at launch, it rose to 115 hp with a particulate filter in September 2018.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.5 TSI 150

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · 6.2 L/100 km · 140 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    1.5 TSI evo with 150 hp and manual gearbox, presented as the petrol engine best suited to the T-Roc. The first examples may show cold jerking.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.5 TSI with 150 hp and 7-speed DSG gearbox: low-speed jerking of this gearbox is the most cited fault; ask for the gearbox service history.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 2.0 TSI 190 4Motion DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 190 hp · 6.8 L/100 km · 155 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 TSI with 190 hp and 320 Nm, 4Motion all-wheel drive and 7-speed DSG gearbox.

  • 1.6 TDI 115

    Diesel · Manual · 115 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 TDI with 115 hp, to avoid according to several buyer's guides (water pump, oil consumption).

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.6 TDI (EA288)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

  • 2.0 TDI 150 4Motion DSG7

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · Crit'Air 2

    2.0 TDI with 150 hp, 4Motion all-wheel drive and 7-speed DSG gearbox. The only diesel at launch, recommended for high-mileage drivers; watch the emissions equipment (EGR, particulate filter).

    Engine: Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA288 and EA288 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Buy with care

Market prices

€16,300 – €28,000

Indicative range: 2018 to 2025, yearly medians of 777 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

DSG7 gearbox: low-speed jerking and mechatronics

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox is the most cited weak point of the T-Roc. The symptoms described are jerking at low speed and during manoeuvres, abrupt gear changes, slipping and a switch to degraded mode. The origin often put forward is the mechatronics. The sources advise a test drive with slow manoeuvres and asking for the gearbox service history.

Versions
1.5 TSI 150 DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

1.6 TDI 115: water pump and oil consumption

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The 115 hp 1.6 TDI of the first-series T-Roc is reported to have a fragile water pump, which can cause overheating, and oil consumption requiring top-ups. Buyer's guides recommend checking the history of the water pump and of the coolant.

Versions
1.6 TDI 115
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Cold jerking of the 1.5 TSI

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

The first-series 1.5 TSI evo can lurch forward when cold at low revs (a "kangaroo" effect), especially with the manual gearbox. A software update exists but, according to owners, does not solve the problem on every car; ask for proof that it has been applied.

Versions
1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: rear spoiler poorly bonded

Manufacturer recall

T-Rocs built between 29 January and 12 June 2018 are concerned by recall 66J9: the bonded join between the two parts of the rear spoiler is defective and the upper part can come loose and fall onto the road. Check that the recall has been carried out using the VIN number.

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 115, 1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 190 4Motion DSG7, 1.6 TDI 115, 2.0 TDI 150 4Motion DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: brake pedal that may deform or come loose

Manufacturer recall

At the end of 2020, Volkswagen recalled in Europe T-Rocs, Golfs, Tiguans and Tourans built in 2020: the brake pedal could deform under the stress of repeated braking, or even come loose. The remedy consists of checking the pedal and replacing it if necessary.

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 115, 1.5 TSI 150, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 190 4Motion DSG7, 1.6 TDI 115, 2.0 TDI 150 4Motion DSG7
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-Roc”). 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€153
Insurance€74
Maintenance€37
Depreciation€248
Total per month€512

⚠ 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)€153

1.5 TSI 150 version: combined consumption of 6.2 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

6.2 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €153

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

Insurance€74

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€248

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 dealer check, using the VIN number, that the recalls (rear spoiler, brake pedal) have been carried out.
  • DSG7: test with slow manoeuvres and under acceleration to detect jerking, slipping or a gearbox warning light, and ask for the gearbox service history.
  • 1.5 TSI: start with the engine cold and drive for a few minutes to detect any jerking, and ask for proof of the software update.
  • 1.6 TDI: ask for the history of the water pump and coolant, and the actual oil consumption.
  • 2.0 TDI: check that there is no engine warning light or AdBlue alert and have the fault codes read.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have all the manufacturer's recalls (rear spoiler, brake pedal) been carried out? Do you have the proof?
  • Has the DSG gearbox been serviced, had its oil changed or been repaired? Do you have the invoices?
  • Has the engine had a software update, a water pump repair or frequent oil top-ups?

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

Volkswagen T-Cross

I · since 2019

Good choice, check first
Price
€15,000 – €23,800
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: MoCars, CC0

Peugeot 2008

II · since 2019

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

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: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Qashqai

II · 2014–2021

Buy with care
Price
€9,000 – €18,490
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota C-HR

I · 2016–2023

Excellent choice
Price
€15,600 – €23,900
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Hybrid, Petrol

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-Roc 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 T-Roc I have?

5 stars in 2017, with 96% for adult occupant protection, 87% for children, 79% for pedestrians and 71% for safety assist systems. The rating is now marked as expired on the Euro NCAP website.

What is the boot capacity of the T-Roc I?

445 litres for the 115 hp 1.0 TSI in front-wheel drive, up to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded. The 4Motion versions announce 392 litres.

Which engines should I choose on a used T-Roc?

The buyer's guides consulted present the 150 hp 1.5 TSI and the 150 hp 2.0 TDI as the best compromises, and mainly advise against the DSG7 gearbox and the 115 hp 1.6 TDI. Opinions vary from one site to another: a test drive and the service history remain necessary.

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