2008 Volkswagen Touareg: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Touaregs, from 1,234 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volkswagen Touaregs than on all cars registered in 2008.
- Engine oil leaks1.7× usualVolkswagen Touareg21.2% All 2008 cars12.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
- Suspension arm2.5× usualVolkswagen Touareg9.2% All 2008 cars3.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Sub-frame bushes9.2× usualVolkswagen Touareg5.5% All 2008 cars0.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Flexible brake hoses1.9× usualVolkswagen Touareg7.7% All 2008 cars4%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
- Side repeaters2.8× usualVolkswagen Touareg4.2% All 2008 cars1.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Braking performance: 3.1% here, against 6.4% of all 2008 cars.
By area
The share of 2008 Volkswagen Touareg MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension45% 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 electrics38% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes32% 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.
- Tyres31% 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 leaks23% 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 mirrors10% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 2007 | 1,696 | Suspension 43% |
| 2006 | 1,382 | Suspension 51% |
| 2005 | 927 | Suspension 52% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volkswagen Touaregs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score