VW Fox (2005-2011): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2005–2011
Median price: €1,700
Listings: 632
Running cost per month: €356–€379
Power: 55–75 PS (40–55 kW)
Reliability: 2/5
DIY: 2/5

The 1.2 timing chain and cylinder head can wreck the engine. Prefer the 1.4 petrol and check chain records, the steering pump and open recalls.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.2, 55 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€356	€1,700	428	Petrol	BMD	Manual (5)	2005–2010
1.4, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€379	€1,750	52	Petrol	BKR	Manual (5)	2005–2010

At a glance

Years: built 2005 to 2011 for Europe, assembled in Brazil. Three engines, all with a five-speed manual.
Most common: the 1.2 three-cylinder timing chain, which can stretch and cause major engine damage. Hot exhaust gas can also damage the 1.2 cylinder head.
Reliability: 2/5, because the 1.2 timing chain and cylinder head can end in engine damage.
DIY: 2/5, because the timing chain, tensioner and cylinder head are workshop jobs.
Prefer: the 1.4 petrol, which carwiki.de and auto motor und sport call reliable, and a 1.2 with proof of timing chain work.
Avoid: a 1.2 that rattles on a cold start with no timing chain work on record.

Engines and gearboxes

1.2 three-cylinder petrol (BMD 55 PS, CHF 60 PS): the timing chain can stretch, and hot exhaust gas can damage the cylinder head. See 1.2 timing chain and 1.2 cylinder head.
1.4 petrol (BKR 75 PS): uses more oil than normal. Check the level often. See 1.4 petrol oil use.
1.4 TDI three-cylinder diesel (BNM 70 PS): gebrauchtwagenberater.de and carwiki.de name the injectors and the turbocharger as weak points, with no detail or cost. A fuel feed pump recall is in the Recalls table.
5-speed manual gearbox: no fault confirmed in the sources read.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
1.2 timing chain	1.2 three-cylinder petrol (BMD, CHF)	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.2 cylinder head	1.2 three-cylinder petrol (BMD, CHF)	Not stated	About EUR 2,400 for a cracked head (auto motor und sport, 2015 article, year of price not given)
Power steering pump	All engines	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.4 petrol oil use	1.4 petrol (BKR)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Ignition coils	Petrol engines	Not stated	No confirmed price
Camshaft sensor	Petrol engines	Not stated	About GBP 20 for the part (UK, year not stated)

Before you buy

Timing chain (1.2). Start the engine cold and listen. Ask for proof of the last chain work. Bad result: rattling on start, or no record of chain work. No scanner needed.
Cylinder head (1.2). Ask for records of cylinder head and valve work. Bad result: no record of head work on a car that has had engine trouble. No scanner needed.
Power steering (all engines). With the engine running, turn the wheel fully left and right at parking speed. Bad result: the wheel goes heavy or the power steering warning light stays on. A scanner reads the steering fault codes, but a car with no codes can still fail.
Ignition coils (petrol). Start the engine cold and listen for rough running. Bad result: rough running, or a breakdown history. A scanner shows misfire codes.
Camshaft sensor (petrol). Check for the engine or emissions warning light with the engine running. Bad result: the light stays on. A scanner reads the sensor fault code.
Oil level (1.4 petrol). Check the oil level on a cold engine and ask for top-up records. Bad result: the level falls between oil changes. No scanner needed.
Recalls. Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, including the bonnet lock, the driver airbag and the 1.4 TDI fuel feed pump. Bad result: an open recall that is not done. No scanner needed.

Running costs

Operational	€186
Workshop	€82
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€91
Total per month	€359
New-car depreciation (not included)	€30

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 632
25th percentile: €1,150
Median price: €1,700
75th percentile: €2,300
Median mileage: 152,855 km
Median first registration: 2007
Dealer share: 26.7%
Price at 100,000 km: €2,282

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

1.2 timing chain

The 1.2 three-cylinder has a timing chain. The chain can stretch until the tensioner can no longer take up the slack. It can then jump or snap. The usual sign is rattling or clattering on a cold start and when the load changes. A chain that jumps or snaps can cause major engine damage.

Cause: the chain stretches until the tensioner reaches its limit.
Which cars: 1.2 three-cylinder petrol, BMD 55 PS and CHF 60 PS.
Fix: replace the chain and the tensioner at a workshop.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki.de

1.2 cylinder head

On the 1.2 the catalytic converter sits too close to the cylinder head. When the throttle is released, hot exhaust gas can flow back into the head. The German guides call this a design fault. auto motor und sport also reports cylinder head damage on the 1.2 and says VW often paid part of the bill as goodwill.

Fix: replace the cylinder head and the valves.
Cost: auto motor und sport puts a cracked head at about EUR 2,400 (2015 article, year of price not given).
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki.de, auto motor und sport

Power steering pump

The power steering pump can fail. Both German guides say a new pump is expensive. In one owner report the assist cut out only at full lock.

Fix: replace the pump. carwiki.de suggests a good aftermarket pump fitted at a workshop.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki.de, PistonHeads owner thread

1.4 petrol oil use

The 1.4 petrol uses more oil than normal. gebrauchtwagenberater.de calls the oil use rather harmless, but the level must be checked often. Use oil approved by VW.

Fix: check the oil level regularly and top up. No repair is named.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Ignition coils

The ignition coils on the petrol engines fail more often. The ADAC breakdown statistics list failed coils as a cause of breakdowns.

Fix: replace the coil. No price is given.
Cost: no confirmed price.
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki.de, Autozeitung

Camshaft sensor

A failed camshaft sensor is a common reason for the emissions warning light. The sensor is on the wear list at carwiki.de and is named among ADAC breakdown causes.

Fix: replace the sensor.
Cost: Auto Express puts a replacement unit at about GBP 20 (UK, year not stated). Labour is not stated.
Typical km: not stated.

Sources: Auto Express, carwiki.de, gebrauchtwagenberater.de

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany (ADAC)	55D6	Model years 2005 to 2007	The bonnet catch hook can fail, and the bonnet can open while driving. Silver locks are replaced free. Black locks need no work.
Germany (ADAC, fiches-auto)	69EJ, alert A12/00923/24	Built 2006 to 2017 (ADAC); 2007 to 2014 (fiches-auto)	Fault in the driver airbag gas generator. The front airbag or its gas generator is replaced.
Germany (ADAC, fiches-auto)	Not given	Built January 2005 to July 2007	The 1.4 TDI fuel feed pump can fail. The engine can jerk or not start. The pump is replaced, about 30 minutes.

Maintenance

A stretched timing chain needs the chain and the tensioner replaced together at a workshop.
Check the oil level often on the 1.4 petrol, and use oil approved by VW.
At each service, check the drive-shaft boots, tie-rod ends and wishbones. auto motor und sport says worn parts here lead to expensive repairs.