2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Tiguan

  22% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Tiguan

  13.5% All 2012 cars

  8.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 3.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Tiguan

  7.1% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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 arm2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Tiguan

  4.2% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Side repeaters2.6× usual
  Volkswagen Tiguan

  3.1% All 2012 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  33% 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
  15% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Power steering that cuts out in the cold

  Steering assistance can fail, especially in sub-zero temperatures. It's often the control unit, sometimes the steering rack.

  At the viewing: Make sure the steering feels light and consistent from a cold start.

  Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

• Melting fuse box and electrical faults

  Fuse boxes have been known to melt from high currents, causing a range of electrical faults.

  At the viewing: Test all the electrics and look for any warning lights.

  Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

• Electronic parking brake that won't release

  The electronic handbrake can refuse to release, sometimes simply because the driver's seatbelt isn't fastened or the clutch isn't fully pressed.

  At the viewing: With your seatbelt on and the clutch fully down, check the parking brake releases cleanly.

  Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

• Climate control switchgear

  Air-con or climate control faults are often the switchgear rather than the compressor.

  At the viewing: Try every climate control setting and check it blows cold.

  Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

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

1. Has the power steering ever failed or been repaired?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?