Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen Tiguans, from 8,806 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,806MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,300typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volkswagen Tiguans than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    23.7% All 2012 cars
    10.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    15.9% All 2012 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £120–£300

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    8% All 2012 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    6.5% All 2012 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Side repeaters2.9× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    3.5% All 2012 cars
    1.2%
    Rough price £10–£80

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

Better than most

Exhaust system: 0.5% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Position lamp: 1.1% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    34% 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
    26% 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
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    6% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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.

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20215,461Tyres 25%
20209,071Tyres 28%
201915,447Tyres 27%
201829,132Tyres 29%
201726,139Tyres 28%
201618,488Tyres 28%
201519,811Suspension 42%
201415,194Suspension 45%
201312,112Suspension 45%
20116,523Suspension 50%
20106,326Suspension 58%
20095,608Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volkswagen Tiguans registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score