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Volkswagen Touareg reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 297,640 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
76.2%pass first time
+7.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 85%of cars
297,640MOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen Touareg passes its MOT first time on 76.2% of tests, 7.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.5%). That puts it ahead of 85% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 Touareg does best (beats 97% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 49%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 86%) and the 2.5 Diesel worst (beats 78%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags1.4×as often as a typical car
Coil springs2.0×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light4.1×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light1.7×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%3456789101112131415161718192087%84%81%77%73%68%65%63%63%
Volkswagen TouaregTypical 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.

2003
Beats 79%
2004
Beats 86%
2005
Beats 83%
2006
Beats 84%
2007
Beats 80%
2008
Beats 78%
2009
Beats 78%
2010
Beats 89%
2011
Beats 95%
2012
Beats 97%
2013
Beats 97%
2014
Beats 97%
2015
Beats 73%
2016
Beats 62%
2017
Beats 49%
2018
Beats 89%
2019
Beats 85%
2020
Beats 96%
2021
Beats 95%
2022
Beats 97%
2023
Beats 78%

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
3.0 Diesel2005–2023254,99978.3%Beats 86%A
2.5 Diesel2004–200936,60861.8%Beats 78%B
3.2 Petrol2003–20042,49161.6%Beats 79%B
4.9 Diesel2004–20052,25272.9%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol2020–20201,29090.6%Beats 93%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: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% 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: 7.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.1% 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: 9.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.1% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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: 9.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.1% 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+3.6 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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+2.1 ptsBrakes: 5.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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+2.9 ptsSuspension: 7.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.1% 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+3.0 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% 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+1.1 ptsSuspension: 7.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.1% 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: 5.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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: 9.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.1% 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: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% 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: 9.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.1% 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+3.6 ptsTyres: 5.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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+2.1 ptsBrakes: 5.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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+2.9 ptsSuspension: 7.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.1% 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+3.0 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% 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+1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
9.5% vs 13.1%
Suspension
7.1% vs 10.1%
Tyres
5.3% vs 7.4%
Brakes
5.0% vs 7.9%
Visibility
2.8% vs 5.1%
Emissions & leaks
2.4% vs 3.5%
Seat belts & airbags
1.7% vs 1.2%
Body & structure
1.1% vs 3.8%
Steering
0.5% vs 2.1%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 2.0× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • 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.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Brake lights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%86%82%78%74%69%66%64%
Volkswagen TouaregTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs5.2%2.6%2.0×
Tyre damage & cracking2.8%3.9%0.7×
Rear fog light2.4%0.6%4.1×
Tyre tread depth2.2%3.2%0.7×
Headlight aim2.1%3.7%0.6×
Brake pads1.8%2.4%0.8×
Brake lights1.6%2.4%0.7×
Engine warning light1.6%1.7%1.0×
Windscreen wipers1.4%2.3%0.6×
Sidelights1.4%3.3%0.4×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened52.0
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning23.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements22.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements21.0
A tyre seriously damaged17.0
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction15.9
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning14.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen13.5
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 Touareg1 engine88.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,31488.9%Beats 78%B
2022 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,14791.5%Beats 97%A
2021 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine90.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,92990.6%Beats 95%A
2020 Volkswagen Touareg2 engines90.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,19790.4%Beats 97%A
3.0 Petrol1,29090.6%Beats 93%A
2019 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine87.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel13,54787.2%Beats 85%A
2018 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine87.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel8,93887.1%Beats 89%A
2017 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine80.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel22,53380.0%Beats 49%C
2016 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine79.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel30,45679.7%Beats 62%B
2015 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine79.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel36,92979.6%Beats 73%B
2014 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine82.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel27,52682.8%Beats 97%A
2013 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine81.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel20,75481.1%Beats 97%A
2012 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine78.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel16,28478.9%Beats 97%A
2011 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine75.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel14,59875.6%Beats 95%A
2010 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine70.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,20270.3%Beats 89%A
2009 Volkswagen Touareg2 engines65.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,75465.4%Beats 79%B
2.5 Diesel2,57264.1%Beats 73%B
2008 Volkswagen Touareg2 engines63.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel9,85664.1%Beats 80%B
2.5 Diesel4,04662.0%Beats 73%B
2007 Volkswagen Touareg2 engines63.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel14,30564.2%Beats 82%A
2.5 Diesel5,24662.1%Beats 76%B
2006 Volkswagen Touareg2 engines64.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel9,58361.8%Beats 79%B
3.0 Diesel8,26766.7%Beats 91%A
2005 Volkswagen Touareg3 engines63.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel9,39061.1%Beats 79%B
3.0 Diesel3,46364.7%Beats 88%A
4.9 Diesel1,03274.0%Beats 99%A
2004 Volkswagen Touareg3 engines63.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel5,77161.7%Beats 82%A
3.2 Petrol1,35662.0%Beats 80%B
4.9 Diesel1,22072.0%Beats 98%A
2003 Volkswagen Touareg1 engine61.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Petrol1,13561.1%Beats 79%B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Touareg MOT pass rate?

76.2% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen Touareg were passed first time, based on 297,640 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.5% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen Touareg 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 85% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Touareg year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 Touareg does best for its age and mileage: it beats 97% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 49%.

Which Volkswagen Touareg engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 86% of cars on UK roads. The 2.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 78%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, rear fog light. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.0× 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.