Used car guide

2023 Volkswagen Taigo: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Taigo first registered in 2023: we looked at the 458 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 458 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

458MOTs of 2023 cars, done in 2023–2025
90%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2023 Volkswagen Taigo?

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

  • Brake pads3.8× usual
    Volkswagen Taigo
    9% All 2023 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

Common 2023 Volkswagen Taigo MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Tyres
    21% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% 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
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    1% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Volkswagen Taigo

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2023 Volkswagen Taigo as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Taigo?

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

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Taigo compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20225,766Tyres 21%

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