2023 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Volkswagen Tiguans, from 1,150 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,150MOT tests in 2025

89%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)

9,000typical miles a year

4.5×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2023 Volkswagen Tiguans than on all cars registered in 2023.

Brake pads4.5× usual

Volkswagen Tiguan
10.7% All 2023 cars
2.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.5% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Wipers2.5× usual

Volkswagen Tiguan
3.5% All 2023 cars
1.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Nail or damage in a tyre2.1× usual

Volkswagen Tiguan
3.3% All 2023 cars
1.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

17% 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

12% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

3% 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.
Lights and electrics

2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

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.

Several recalls
All engines
Recalls cover a roof spoiler that could come off, overheating starter motors, front seat backs, seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags.

At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.

Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk2 buyer's guide
Cambelt checks
All except 2.0 petrol
All engines except the 2.0 petrol use a cambelt that should be checked after five years and changed if worn.

At the viewing: Look for a cambelt check or change in the history.
If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk2 buyer's guide

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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	18,005	Tyres 25%
2021	22,562	Tyres 26%
2020	24,262	Tyres 29%
2019	35,589	Tyres 29%
2018	29,332	Tyres 29%
2017	26,142	Tyres 28%
2016	18,489	Tyres 28%
2015	19,814	Suspension 42%
2014	15,200	Suspension 45%
2013	12,114	Suspension 45%
2012	8,808	Suspension 49%
2011	6,524	Suspension 50%
2010	6,326	Suspension 58%
2009	5,611	Suspension 59%
2008	3,686	Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Volkswagen Tiguans registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score