Volkswagen Tiguan: what fails at MOT
369,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Tiguan in 2024, counted. 15.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
15.8% of Volkswagen Tiguan tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.8%, so the Tiguan does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (3.8% of tests), tyres (3.5% of tests) and lights and electrics (2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 42,436 | 9.7% | 10.9% | 26,600 19,800 to 34,500 |
| 2020 | 41,136 | 9.5% | 11.5% | 32,300 24,200 to 42,500 |
| 2019 | 56,700 | 10.4% | 13.4% | 40,200 30,200 to 51,800 |
| 2018 | 44,903 | 12.3% | 15.6% | 50,600 39,600 to 63,300 |
| 2017 | 42,111 | 11.6% | 18.2% | 60,400 48,100 to 74,800 |
| 2016 | 28,076 | 14.3% | 21.3% | 66,800 52,600 to 82,300 |
| 2015 | 27,566 | 19.9% | 24.4% | 73,600 58,500 to 89,800 |
| 2014 | 21,614 | 22.9% | 27.7% | 80,800 63,900 to 99,700 |
| 2013 | 17,647 | 24.6% | 30.6% | 89,600 71,700 to 109,500 |
| 2012 | 12,746 | 28.0% | 33.4% | 101,000 81,000 to 123,300 |
| 2011 | 9,542 | 32.1% | 36.1% | 109,900 90,200 to 132,500 |
| 2010 | 9,648 | 34.1% | 38.6% | 116,200 95,100 to 138,200 |
| 2009 | 8,722 | 33.9% | 39.8% | 121,300 100,400 to 142,900 |
| 2008 | 6,269 | 36.5% | 41.5% | 129,500 106,600 to 151,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Tiguan tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Tiguan | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3.8% | 3.4% | |
| Tyres | 3.5% | 3.8% | |
| Lights and electrics | 2.0% | 4.5% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 2.0% | 2.9% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.2% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.1% | 1.2% | |
| Body and structure | 0.6% | 1.1% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.9%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.4%
- Coil spring1.3%
- Brake pads1.2%
- Engine warning light1.0%
- Headlamp aim0.8%
- Wipers0.8%
- Brake discs0.5%
- Shock absorbers0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.4%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.7%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.5%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.4%
- Nail in tyre1.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Tiguan's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.