Family SUV · 2004–2021 cars

Volkswagen Tiguan reliability

The Volkswagen Tiguan fails 17.4% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 706,804 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 72/100#18 of 59 family suvs

Checking a Volkswagen Tiguan before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 17.4%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 24% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 706,804; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a sound used buy. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 17.4%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 24% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 18 of 59 family SUV models.

Suspension is its weak spot, with 6% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage, so look at it closely. If you can, choose a 2017 car, which has 36% fewer fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2010 is the weakest year, at 14% fewer. Before you buy, check the tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.11% of tests), coil springs (2.05%), suspension arm pins and bushes (1.83%) and brake pads below 1.5mm (1.26%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volkswagen Tiguan ages

Each point is the share of Volkswagen Tiguans of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Volkswagen TiguanAll cars

Volkswagen Tiguan first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Volkswagen Tiguan	All cars
3	10.7%	12.3%
4	10.9%	14.1%
5	12.1%	16.4%
6	13.1%	19.1%
7	15%	22.1%
8	19.8%	25.5%
9	23.3%	28.8%
10	26.1%	31.8%
11	29.1%	34.6%
12	33.2%	37.3%
13	35.5%	39.5%
14	34.9%	41.1%
15	36.4%	42.3%
16	36.5%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst Volkswagen Tiguan years

2017 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volkswagen Tiguan MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Tiguan	12,163	10.5%	16% fewer fails	29,358
2020 Tiguan	46,973	10.3%	21% fewer fails	31,539
2019 Tiguan	102,058	10.9%	23% fewer fails	35,622
2018 Tiguan	104,951	11.9%	25% fewer fails	42,400
2017 Tiguan	95,361	12.1%	36% fewer fails	52,754
2016 Tiguan	65,590	13.9%	35% fewer fails	59,215
2015 Tiguan	67,925	18.4%	26% fewer fails	66,376
2014 Tiguan	52,691	21.8%	23% fewer fails	74,086
2013 Tiguan	42,546	24.3%	23% fewer fails	83,437
2012 Tiguan	31,314	28.1%	20% fewer fails	94,883
2011 Tiguan	23,677	32.4%	16% fewer fails	103,676
2010 Tiguan	23,619	34.8%	14% fewer fails	109,780
2009 Tiguan	22,067	35.4%	17% fewer fails	116,056
2008 Tiguan	15,813	36.7%	17% fewer fails	123,485

Common problems

What fails most on a Volkswagen Tiguan

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension6.2%6% above avg
Tyres5.4%13% below avg
Lights and electrics3.4%56% below avg
Brakes3%39% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.9%51% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%10% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.9%54% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.6%3% below avg
Steering0.3%79% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.11% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.05% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.83% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.26% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.04% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.03% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.01% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.86% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Tiguan's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit13.4%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.68%
Brake pads wearing thin7.58%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.13%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.28%
Shock absorber light oil misting3.39%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volkswagen Tiguan

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Volkswagen Tiguan covers about 9,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel82.3%
Petrol17.7%
Hybrid0%
Electric0%
Other0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Black, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 1.9 litres.

Compare

How the Volkswagen Tiguan compares with its rivals

Volkswagen Tiguan against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	15.2%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Tiguan	17.4%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda CR-V	25.6%	22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Freelander	33.4%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Kuga	20.2%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Sportage	22.8%	about average for its age
Peugeot 3008	28.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.

Questions

Volkswagen Tiguan questions, answered

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

On MOT results, the Volkswagen Tiguan is better than average: it fails 17.4% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Volkswagen Tiguan MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Tiguan are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.11% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.05% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (1.83% of tests). By area, suspension fails 6.2% of its tests.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2010 cars do worst (14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volkswagen Tiguan do a year?

A typical Volkswagen Tiguan covers about 9,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Volkswagen Tiguan before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

Found a Volkswagen Tiguan? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.