Used car guide

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Volkswagen Tiguans, from 15,194 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,194MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,100typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Volkswagen Tiguans than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    21.7% All 2014 cars
    8.2%
    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.

  • Suspension arm8.6× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    14.7% All 2014 cars
    1.7%
    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.9× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    5% All 2014 cars
    1.7%
    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.

  • Shock absorbers1.5× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    8.7% All 2014 cars
    5.7%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 0.5% here, against 5.2% of all 2014 cars. Track rod end: 0.6% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    33% 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
    24% 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
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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%
201312,112Suspension 45%
20128,806Suspension 49%
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 2014 Volkswagen Tiguans registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score