Used car guide · 2008–2016

Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 did at the MOTs done during 2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 96,572 MOT tests.

2013best year: 71% pass first time, 5 points above all 2013 cars
2009weakest year: 60% pass first time, 2 points above all 2009 cars
Suspension arm bushes and jointsthe weak spot that shows up in 8 different years

Which Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2008: 61% pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%) 61% 20082009: 60% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 60% 20092010: 62% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 62% 20102011: 65% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 65% 20112012: 66% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 66% 20122013: 71% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 71% 20132014: 72% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 72% 20142015: 75% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%) 75% 20152016: 81% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%) 81% 2016*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200861%57% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.3× usual3,686
200960%58% +2Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.1× usual5,611
201062%59% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.3× usual6,326
201165%61% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.1× usual6,524
201266%63% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.3× usual8,808
201371%66% +5Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.6× usual12,114
201472%69% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.6× usual15,200
201575%72% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.9× usual19,814
2016*81%75% +6Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.8× usual18,489

Common Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 2.9× usual

    Stands out in 8 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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.

  • Suspension armup to 11.8× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.

    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 jointsup to 2.9× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2008.

    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.

  • Engine warning lightup to 2.8× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2010, 2009, 2008.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint dust coverup to 2.3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2010, 2009, 2008.

    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.

  • Side repeatersup to 3× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2012, 2011.

    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.

What usually goes wrong with the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • 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.

    Check: 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.

    Check: 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.

    Check: 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.

    Check: Try every climate control setting and check it blows cold.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk1 problems

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.