2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Suspension arm13.7× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  9.6% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  14.4% All 2015 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4.4× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  4.8% All 2015 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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.

• Number plates2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  4.6% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Suspension
  32% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel

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.

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

  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

• Airbag, fuel tank and other recalls

  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

• Faults are common and costly

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel

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

1. Has the lighting software recall been done?
2. Have all the recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 13.7× as often on the 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2015 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?