Used car guide · 2003–2026

Volkswagen Touran common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Touran, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 219,750 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

219,750MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
71,153on the UK register
7known faults across all years
2016best year at its MOT

Pick the year

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).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Touran?

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.

  • Airbag, fuel tank and other recalls

    Cars registered 2015–2025 · Some cars

    Recalls also covered airbags and pre-tensioners that might not fire, fuel tank wall thickness, low-speed engine torque, the panoramic roof lighting and head restraints.

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

    Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Touran (2015 on) reliability

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2009–2012 · 1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

    The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

  • Light failure warning recall (built June 2015 to Nov 2016)

    Cars registered 2015–2017 · Built 2015 to 2016

    A software fault meant a failed headlight, indicator or fog light might not be shown, and a failed dipped beam might not switch on the sidelights.

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the recall was done, and check every light.

    Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Touran (2015 on) reliability

  • Loose diesel pump bolts

    Cars registered 2003–2014 · Diesel

    Some early diesels had loose bolts on part of the fuel pump that could cause a fuel leak. VW should have fixed them under warranty.

    At the viewing: Look and sniff for diesel leaks around the engine. A VW dealer can confirm the work was done.

    Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

  • Flywheel and turbo failures

    Cars registered 2003–2014 · All engines

    Flywheel failure has been reported, and some older diesels have had turbo failures.

    At the viewing: Listen for rattles at idle and when the clutch is used, and look for smoke or flat spots on acceleration.

    Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

  • Electrical and cooling fan faults

    Cars registered 2003–2014 · All engines

    Electrical faults are the most common problem and can knock out the dashboard warning lights. The cooling fan can fail, and the seatbelt warning can malfunction.

    At the viewing: Check every warning light shows at start-up, and that the fan runs when the engine is hot.

    Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

  • Faults are common and costly

    Cars registered 2015–2025 · All engines

    Half the cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, most often gearbox or clutch, and 13% of owners paid over £1,500. Check the DSG for judder, especially when slowing.

    At the viewing: Drive in slow traffic and feel for juddering, and test every electrical item.

    Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Touran (2015 on) reliability

Common Volkswagen Touran MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 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 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2018.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Seat belts

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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 arm

    up to 13.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 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.

Volkswagen Touran MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Volkswagen Touran did best (81% passed first time, 4 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2006 did worst (52%, 4 points below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202287%89% -2417 (small sample)
202189%87% +22,123
202088%87% +16,666
201986%85% +18,329
201882%83% -111,107
201781%80% +112,801
201681%77% +410,837
201574%74% +011,407
201473%70% +314,708
201370%67% +315,967
201268%64% +417,143
201166%62% +417,837
201058%60% -214,910
200957%59% -215,881
200856%57% -115,172
200756%57% -116,842
200652%56% -412,110
200553%57% -48,914
200453%57% -45,773
200355%57% -2806

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Touran

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

  1. Have all the recalls been done?
  2. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
  3. Has the lighting software recall been done?
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Volkswagen Touran?

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