2010 Volkswagen Touran: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Volkswagen Touran?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Volkswagen Touran than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  23.1% All 2010 cars

  10.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.1% of all 2010 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.5× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  12.3% All 2010 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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 arm3.1× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  10% All 2010 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 2010 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.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  13.6% All 2010 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Link ball joint covers2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  7.6% All 2010 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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.

Common 2010 Volkswagen Touran MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Volkswagen Touran MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  56% 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
  40% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  27% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2010 Volkswagen Touran

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.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  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

• Loose diesel pump bolts

  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

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Volkswagen Touran

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2010 Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2010 Volkswagen Touran as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?