Part of the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 (2008–2016) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Tiguans, from 3,686 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,686MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volkswagen Tiguans than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    26.5% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    13% All 2008 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    8.4% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Engine warning light2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    6.4% All 2008 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint dust cover1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    8.1% All 2008 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Headlights: 2.1% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars. Exhaust system: 4.4% here, against 9% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    29% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Power steering that cuts out in the cold

    Steering assistance can fail, especially in sub-zero temperatures. It's often the control unit, sometimes the steering rack.

    At the viewing: Make sure the steering feels light and consistent from a cold start.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

  • Melting fuse box and electrical faults

    Fuse boxes have been known to melt from high currents, causing a range of electrical faults.

    At the viewing: Test all the electrics and look for any warning lights.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

  • Electronic parking brake that won't release

    The electronic handbrake can refuse to release, sometimes simply because the driver's seatbelt isn't fastened or the clutch isn't fully pressed.

    At the viewing: With your seatbelt on and the clutch fully down, check the parking brake releases cleanly.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

  • Climate control switchgear

    Air-con or climate control faults are often the switchgear rather than the compressor.

    At the viewing: Try every climate control setting and check it blows cold.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,150Tyres 17%
202218,005Tyres 25%
202122,562Tyres 26%
202024,262Tyres 29%
201935,589Tyres 29%
201829,332Tyres 29%
201726,142Tyres 28%
201618,489Tyres 28%
201519,814Suspension 42%
201415,200Suspension 45%
201312,114Suspension 45%
20128,808Suspension 49%
20116,524Suspension 50%
20106,326Suspension 58%
20095,611Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volkswagen Tiguans registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score