Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Touareg: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen Touaregs, from 1,787 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,787MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
9,000typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volkswagen Touaregs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Touareg
    17.1% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Sub-frame bushes7.3× usual
    Volkswagen Touareg
    2.2% All 2012 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 6.5% here, against 14.5% of all 2012 cars. Number plate lights: 3.2% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 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.

  • Suspension
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Volkswagen Touareg?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,028Tyres 24%
20211,969Tyres 23%
20201,941Tyres 21%
20192,854Tyres 23%
20181,554Tyres 22%
20173,257Tyres 23%
20163,824Tyres 23%
20154,102Tyres 24%
20143,006Tyres 25%
20132,269Tyres 28%
20111,618Suspension 27%
2010695Suspension 37%
20091,011Suspension 44%
20081,234Suspension 45%
20071,696Suspension 43%
20061,382Suspension 51%
2005927Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volkswagen Touaregs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score