MPV and people carrier · 2001–2021 cars

Volkswagen Touran reliability

The Volkswagen Touran fails 32.9% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 256,398 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 55/100#13 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Volkswagen Touran before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 32.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 6% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 256,398; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,400; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volkswagen Touran is worth a look, but check it carefully. First-time MOT fail rate is 32.9%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, though, it has 6% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 13 of 49 mpv and people carrier models. If you can, choose a 2016 car. That year had 19% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2018 had 6% more.

Seat belts and airbags are the weak spot, with 39% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, so test them properly. On the car you're viewing, check the coil springs for breaks, the tyres for exposed ply or cords and tread below 1.6mm, and the CV joint boots for splits.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volkswagen Touran ages

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

Volkswagen TouranAll cars

Volkswagen Touran first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Volkswagen Touran	All cars
3	13.2%	12.3%
4	14.8%	14.1%
5	16.7%	16.4%
6	18.8%	19.1%
7	20.8%	22.1%
8	24%	25.5%
9	27.1%	28.8%
10	27.8%	31.8%
11	30.9%	34.6%
12	35.5%	37.3%
13	40.2%	39.5%
14	41.8%	41.1%
15	43.7%	42.3%
16	44.8%	42.9%
17	47.3%	43.4%
18	47.4%	43.5%
19	47.2%	43.4%
20	45.7%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst Volkswagen Touran years

2016 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volkswagen Touran MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	727	10.2%	14% fewer fails	25,969
2020 Touran	4,191	12.2%	5% fewer fails	30,142
2019 Touran	7,380	13.5%	3% fewer fails	33,735
2018 Touran	12,604	16.9%	6% more fails	41,477
2017 Touran	14,323	17.5%	6% fewer fails	50,280
2016 Touran	12,179	18%	19% fewer fails	61,510
2015 Touran	12,886	23.8%	9% fewer fails	73,069
2014 Touran	16,677	25.2%	13% fewer fails	80,272
2013 Touran	18,551	26.8%	17% fewer fails	87,704
2012 Touran	19,661	29.6%	17% fewer fails	99,152
2011 Touran	20,912	31.8%	17% fewer fails	108,090
2010 Touran	17,300	40.4%	1% fewer fails	118,188
2009 Touran	19,150	42.3%	1% fewer fails	124,957
2008 Touran	18,880	42.9%	2% fewer fails	131,576
2007 Touran	21,636	42.7%	5% fewer fails	135,893
2006 Touran	16,650	47.9%	5% more fails	138,272
2005 Touran	12,867	46.9%	2% more fails	146,337
2004 Touran	8,581	48.1%	4% more fails	148,268
2003 Touran	1,242	46.2%	1% more fails	152,562

Common problems

What fails most on a Volkswagen Touran

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 39% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension13.6%6% above avg
Lights and electrics10.2%34% below avg
Tyres9.1%24% above avg
Brakes7.3%21% below avg
Body, chassis and structure4.8%8% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%16% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%2% below avg
Seat belts and airbags2.2%39% above avg
Steering1.4%49% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.28% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.16% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.82% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.81% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.64% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.49% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
7
Stop lamp not working 2.16% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.84% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit20.4%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.51%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.47%
Brake pads wearing thin7.94%
Shock absorber light oil misting6.27%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.96%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volkswagen Touran

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
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 Touran covers about 9,400 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

Diesel84.2%
Petrol15.8%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Grey, Blue, Black, Silver, White

Average engine size: 1.8 litres.

Compare

How the Volkswagen Touran compares with its rivals

Volkswagen Touran against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Touran	32.9%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford C-Max	30%	about average for its age
Ford S-Max	34.6%	about average for its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Grand C-Max	31%	15% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Meriva	37.1%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.

Questions

Volkswagen Touran questions, answered

Is the Volkswagen Touran reliable?

On MOT results, the Volkswagen Touran is about average: it fails 32.9% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Volkswagen Touran MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Touran are coil spring fractured or broken (3.28% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (3.16% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (2.82% of tests). By area, suspension fails 13.6% of its tests.

Which Volkswagen Touran year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volkswagen Touran do a year?

A typical Volkswagen Touran covers about 9,400 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 Touran 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.

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