Volkswagen Tiguan common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Volkswagen Tiguan at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 220,471 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Tiguan in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened): recorded on 3.5% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 18× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (3.9×); pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (3.3×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.5×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Tiguan fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Volkswagen Tiguan
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Volkswagen Tiguan than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 3.5% | 0.2% | 18× | 2,378 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.5% | 0.9% | 3.9× | 11,034 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 15% | 4.7% | 3.3× | 15,178 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5% | 1.1% | 4.5× | 555 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3% | 1.1% | 2.7× | 34,710 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 8.7% | 3.1% | 2.8× | 16,327 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 5.4% | 1.3% | 4.2× | 404 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2012–2014 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5% | 2.1% | 2.4× | 1,590 |
Volkswagen Tiguan by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 16,327 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (8.7%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (8.7%, 2.8×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 46,438 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (12%, 2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 21,677 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (3.2%, 1.8×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,458 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (3%, 2.1×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,358 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (3.6%, 2×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 348 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | — |
Volkswagen Tiguan by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4,574 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.3×) |
| 2009 | 6,539 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.5×) |
| 2010 | 6,898 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3×) |
| 2011 | 7,017 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.7×) |
| 2012 | 9,218 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.3×) |
| 2013 | 12,428 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.7×) |
| 2014 | 15,540 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (10×) |
| 2015 | 20,115 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (13×) |
| 2016 | 18,687 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (18×) |
| 2017 | 26,556 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.1×) |
| 2018 | 29,796 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.9×) |
| 2019 | 36,567 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.8×) |
| 2020 | 25,412 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.5×) |
| 2021 | 1,090 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Tiguan?
In 220,471 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Tiguan in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened): recorded on 3.5% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 18× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (3.9×); pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (3.3×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (4.5×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Tiguan fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn).
Why do Volkswagen Tiguans fail the MOT?
Across 220,471 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Volkswagen Tiguan were coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.8% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.6% of tests); pins and bushes (pin or bush excessively worn) (4.1% of tests).
At what mileage do Volkswagen Tiguan problems start?
The clearest Volkswagen Tiguan-specific issue, suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2015–2017 cars (3.5% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this Volkswagen Tiguan data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 220,471 tests of the Volkswagen Tiguan. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.