Used car guide

2021 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Volkswagen Tiguans, from 5,461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,461MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Volkswagen Tiguans than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    13.4% All 2021 cars
    6.8%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    12.5% All 2021 cars
    7.1%
    Rough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints5.3× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    5.8% All 2021 cars
    1.1%
    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.

  • Nail or damage in a tyre2× usual
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    4.2% All 2021 cars
    2.1%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

By area

The share of 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    21% 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.

  • Suspension
    10% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20209,071Tyres 28%
201915,447Tyres 27%
201829,132Tyres 29%
201726,139Tyres 28%
201618,488Tyres 28%
201519,811Suspension 42%
201415,194Suspension 45%
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 2021 Volkswagen Tiguans registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score