2003 Volkswagen Touareg: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volkswagen Touaregs, from 151 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 151 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2003 Volkswagen Touareg MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension49% 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 electrics40% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes31% 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.
- Tyres30% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks13% 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 mirrors11% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 104 | Tyres 21% |
| 2022 | 1,028 | Tyres 24% |
| 2021 | 1,969 | Tyres 23% |
| 2020 | 1,941 | Tyres 21% |
| 2019 | 2,854 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 1,554 | Tyres 22% |
| 2017 | 3,257 | Tyres 23% |
| 2016 | 3,824 | Tyres 23% |
| 2015 | 4,102 | Tyres 24% |
| 2014 | 3,006 | Tyres 25% |
| 2013 | 2,269 | Tyres 28% |
| 2012 | 1,787 | Tyres 25% |
| 2011 | 1,618 | Suspension 27% |
| 2010 | 695 | Suspension 37% |
| 2009 | 1,011 | Suspension 44% |
| 2008 | 1,234 | Suspension 45% |
| 2007 | 1,696 | Suspension 43% |
| 2006 | 1,382 | Suspension 51% |
| 2005 | 927 | Suspension 52% |
| 2004 | 491 | Suspension 49% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volkswagen Touaregs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score