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Volkswagen Tiguan reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 1.6 million MOT tests of cars first registered 2008–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
81.9%pass first time
+5.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 83%of cars
1.6MMOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen Tiguan passes its MOT first time on 81.9% of tests, 5.4 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (76.5%). That puts it ahead of 83% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Tiguan does best (beats 93% of cars) and the 2022 worst (beats 66%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 92%) and the 1.4 Petrol worst (beats 80%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension arm bushes2.8×as often as a typical car
Engine warning light1.5×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers1.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%345678910111213141516171887%88%84%78%70%66%63%61%
Volkswagen TiguanTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2008
Beats 78%
2009
Beats 75%
2010
Beats 74%
2011
Beats 79%
2012
Beats 82%
2013
Beats 87%
2014
Beats 84%
2015
Beats 87%
2016
Beats 93%
2017
Beats 91%
2018
Beats 78%
2019
Beats 83%
2020
Beats 76%
2021
Beats 81%
2022
Beats 66%
2023
Beats 37%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2008–20231,289,93280.4%Beats 83%A
1.5 Petrol2019–2023187,71489.1%Beats 80%B
1.4 Petrol2008–201867,83884.1%Beats 80%B
2.0 Petrol2009–202259,01687.4%Beats 92%A
1.4 Hybrid2022–20232,29190.5%Beats 96%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 6.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.6 ptsTyres: 5.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.9 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.0 ptsSuspension: 6.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.8 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 ptsSuspension: 6.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.6 ptsTyres: 5.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.9 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.0 ptsSuspension: 6.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.8 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 6.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
6.6% vs 5.8%
Tyres
5.5% vs 6.4%
Lights & electrics
3.5% vs 8.1%
Brakes
2.9% vs 4.9%
Visibility
2.3% vs 4.1%
Emissions & leaks
1.7% vs 2.0%
Body & structure
0.9% vs 1.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.6% vs 0.6%
Steering
0.2% vs 1.2%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 2.8× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Engine warning light 1.5× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%89%86%82%76%70%66%65%
Volkswagen TiguanTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.8%3.6%0.8×
Tyre tread depth2.5%2.5%1.0×
Coil springs2.4%1.8%1.4×
Suspension arm bushes2.2%0.8%2.8×
Brake pads1.6%2.1%0.8×
Engine warning light1.6%1.1%1.5×
Windscreen wipers1.5%2.1%0.7×
Headlight aim1.3%2.5%0.5×
Brake discs0.7%0.7%1.0×
Shock absorbers0.7%0.8%0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn27.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.4
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened24.0
A tyre seriously damaged16.5
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction15.8
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen14.9
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm14.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.3
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines86.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol8,41685.6%Beats 22%D
2.0 Diesel1,87188.2%Beats 66%B
1.4 Hybrid1,00090.0%Beats 93%A
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan4 engines88.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol24,08388.4%Beats 60%C
2.0 Diesel5,67588.9%Beats 73%B
2.0 Petrol2,91891.8%Beats 91%A
1.4 Hybrid1,29190.9%Beats 97%A
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines89.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol45,83889.7%Beats 81%A
2.0 Diesel18,04588.9%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol2,75489.6%Beats 78%B
2020 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines88.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol48,73989.0%Beats 79%B
2.0 Diesel42,37987.5%Beats 72%B
2.0 Petrol3,73489.9%Beats 85%A
2019 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines87.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel104,44086.8%Beats 78%B
1.5 Petrol60,63889.5%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol9,81290.6%Beats 95%A
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines85.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel124,86185.4%Beats 77%B
1.4 Petrol38,25386.5%Beats 78%B
2.0 Petrol11,01489.5%Beats 95%A
2017 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines86.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel154,83486.2%Beats 90%A
2.0 Petrol14,05188.9%Beats 95%A
1.4 Petrol12,40287.3%Beats 89%A
2016 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines85.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel139,17085.6%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol3,80290.1%Beats 99%A
1.4 Petrol3,46687.4%Beats 93%A
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines83.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel174,76183.1%Beats 87%A
1.4 Petrol1,49384.8%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol1,22886.2%Beats 92%A
2014 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines79.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel132,22679.7%Beats 84%A
1.4 Petrol2,35181.4%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol1,51682.7%Beats 86%A
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines77.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel105,91477.4%Beats 87%A
1.4 Petrol1,76479.8%Beats 87%A
2.0 Petrol1,48982.1%Beats 94%A
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines73.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel77,99773.3%Beats 81%A
2.0 Petrol1,59276.9%Beats 83%A
1.4 Petrol1,30276.7%Beats 86%A
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines70.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel58,04769.8%Beats 79%B
2.0 Petrol1,69474.2%Beats 84%A
1.4 Petrol1,63970.7%Beats 71%B
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines66.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel57,21366.2%Beats 74%B
2.0 Petrol1,94073.3%Beats 89%A
1.4 Petrol1,37168.4%Beats 73%B
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan3 engines64.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel53,48064.7%Beats 75%B
1.4 Petrol1,99962.9%Beats 61%B
2.0 Petrol1,47268.8%Beats 81%A
2008 Volkswagen Tiguan2 engines64.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel39,01964.1%Beats 78%B
1.4 Petrol1,79864.6%Beats 75%B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Tiguan MOT pass rate?

81.9% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen Tiguan were passed first time, based on 1,606,791 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2008–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 76.5% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 83% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Tiguan does best for its age and mileage: it beats 93% of cars on UK roads. The 2022 does worst: it beats 66%.

Which Volkswagen Tiguan engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 1.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 80%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.