Used car guide

2011 Volkswagen Touran: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Volkswagen Tourans, from 5,695 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,695MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,600typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Volkswagen Tourans than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Volkswagen Touran
    21.4% All 2011 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Touran
    8% All 2011 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Touran
    7.5% All 2011 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Touran
    10% All 2011 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Touran
    6.3% All 2011 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 0.8% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars. Track rod ends: 1.1% here, against 5.3% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Volkswagen Touran MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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 mirrors
    8% 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 Touran?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021992Tyres 27%
20202,234Tyres 30%
20192,759Tyres 31%
20183,757Tyres 31%
20174,318Tyres 32%
20163,666Tyres 32%
20153,836Suspension 40%
20144,965Suspension 40%
20135,354Suspension 40%
20125,604Suspension 46%
20104,601Suspension 61%
20094,738Suspension 62%
20084,340Suspension 62%
20074,583Suspension 65%
20063,053Suspension 65%
20052,106Suspension 66%
20041,327Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Volkswagen Tourans registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score