Used car guide · 2008–2026

Volkswagen Tiguan common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Tiguan, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 710,074 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen Tiguan as a whole.

30,986on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008

Generation guides: Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 (2008–2016) · Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (2016–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Tiguan?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Power steering that cuts out in the cold

    Cars registered 2008–2016

    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

  • Several recalls

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · All engines

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

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN.

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

  • Melting fuse box and electrical faults

    Cars registered 2008–2016

    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

  • Cambelt checks

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · All except 2.0 petrol

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

    At the viewing: 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

  • Electronic parking brake that won't release

    Cars registered 2008–2016

    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

    Cars registered 2008–2016

    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

Common Volkswagen Tiguan MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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 absorbers

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Nail or damage in a tyre

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 10× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    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.

  • Fuel cap

    up to 30× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2014.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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 absorbers

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    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 absorbers

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    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.

Volkswagen Tiguan MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan did best (84% passed first time, 7 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2023 did worst (89%, 3 points below all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202389%92% -31,169
202289%89% +020,352
202190%87% +347,292
202089%87% +273,556
201988%85% +3106,748
201887%83% +487,687
201786%80% +678,400
201684%77% +755,370
201578%74% +459,433
201475%70% +545,791
201373%67% +636,632
201269%64% +526,911
201166%62% +420,263
201063%60% +319,845
200962%59% +318,184
200862%57% +512,441

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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. Has all the recall work been done?
  3. Has the cambelt been checked or changed?
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 13.3× as often on the Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Volkswagen Tiguan as on other cars the same age.)

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.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score