Used car guide · 2016–2024

Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 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 177,813 MOT tests.

2017best year: 86% pass first time, 8 points above all 2017 cars
2023weakest year: 89% pass first time, 3 points below all 2023 cars
Suspension arm bushes and jointsthe weak spot that shows up in 4 different years

Which Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

60%80%100%2016: 81% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%) 81% 2016*2017: 86% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%) 86% 20172018: 85% pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%) 85% 20182019: 87% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%) 87% 20192020: 89% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%) 89% 20202021: 90% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 90% 20212022: 88% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 88% 20222023: 89% pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%) 89% 2023
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
2016*81%75% +6Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.8× usual18,489
201786%78% +8Engine warning light 2× usual26,142
201885%81% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 1.8× usual29,332
201987%84% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.7× usual35,589
202089%86% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 3.2× usual24,262
202190%87% +3Brake pads 1.9× usual23,236
202288%89% -1Brake pads 3.4× usual19,613
202389%92% -3Brake pads 4.5× usual1,150

Common Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 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 4.4× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.

    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.

  • Shock absorbersup to 3.3× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Brake padsup to 4.5× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2023, 2022, 2021.

    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.

  • Nail or damage in a tyreup to 2.1× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2023, 2022, 2020.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

What usually goes wrong with the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2?

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

  • Several recalls

    Recalls cover a roof spoiler that could come off, overheating starter motors, front seat backs, seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags.

    Check: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk2 buyer's guide

  • Cambelt checks

    All engines except the 2.0 petrol use a cambelt that should be checked after five years and changed if worn.

    Check: Look for a cambelt check or change in the history.

    If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Tiguan Mk2 buyer's guide

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?

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