# Volkswagen T-Cross — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Volkswagen T-Cross on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/volkswagen-t-cross

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2022
- **Ideal trim**: SEL
- **Target mileage**: 30,000–50,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £16,000

## Why this model

The Volkswagen T-Cross is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a compact SUV that's practical, stylish, and easy to drive. It offers a surprisingly spacious interior for its size, a comfortable ride, and that solid, dependable VW build quality. The 1.0 TSI petrol engine is economical and punchy enough for most UK driving, making it a great all-rounder for city life and longer trips.

## What you should pay

Based on current UK market data for February 2026, a 2022 Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI SEL with around 30,000-50,000 miles should be priced around £15,500-£16,500. The market has softened a bit from its peak, so there are good deals to be had, but the T-Cross holds its value reasonably well for a petrol SUV.

## Which trim to buy

The SEL trim is definitely the sweet spot for the T-Cross. It adds some really nice-to-have features over the SE, like a digital cockpit (VW's Active Info Display), larger alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and often more advanced driver assistance systems. It makes the car feel a lot more premium without a huge jump in price, giving you excellent value for money on the used market.

## What to check before you buy

- Infotainment system glitches (minor software bugs)
- Occasional reports of minor electrical issues
- Some owners report a slightly firm ride on larger wheels

## Running costs

Running costs for the 1.0 TSI T-Cross are pretty good. You're looking at around 13-14 pence per mile for fuel, based on current petrol prices and realistic MPG. Road tax is £190 a year. Insurance will vary, but expect to pay roughly £400-£800 annually depending on your age, location, and no-claims bonus.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Petrol
- **Horsepower**: 95-110 hp
- **Mpg**: 45-50 MPG
- **Reliability Score**: Good
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2019)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| S | £20,000 | £13,500 | 8-inch touchscreen infotainment; DAB radio; Bluetooth |
| SE | £22,000 | £14,819 | 17-inch alloy wheels; Adaptive Cruise Control; Rear parking sensors |
| SEL | £24,500 | £16,000 | Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25-inch display); Discover Media navigation system; Automatic climate control |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £16,000 | 100% |
| 2027 | £13,600 | 85% |
| 2028 | £12,000 | 75% |
| 2029 | £10,400 | 65% |
| 2030 | £9,280 | 58% |

Buying a T-Cross at 3-4 years old, like a 2022 model in 2026, is generally the sweet spot for depreciation. The steepest drop in value has already occurred in its first few years, so you're getting a much better deal than buying new. From this point, the depreciation curve flattens out, meaning your car will lose value at a slower rate over the next few years.

Total value lost since new: 42%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Ford Puma](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/ford-puma.md)
- [Skoda Kamiq](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/skoda-kamiq.md)
- [SEAT Arona](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/seat-arona.md)

---

Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.