Volkswagen Touareg: what fails at MOT
72,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Touareg in 2024, counted. 19.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
19.7% of Volkswagen Touareg tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.7%, so the Touareg does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.6% of tests), suspension (4.2% of tests) and tyres (2.8% 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 | 4,646 | 7.6% | 10.9% | 31,200 23,800 to 39,900 |
| 2020 | 4,366 | 8.4% | 11.5% | 37,200 28,800 to 49,100 |
| 2019 | 6,053 | 11.2% | 13.4% | 46,900 37,000 to 58,200 |
| 2018 | 3,167 | 12.4% | 15.6% | 54,500 41,500 to 66,400 |
| 2017 | 6,174 | 20.4% | 18.2% | 63,300 50,400 to 77,500 |
| 2016 | 6,902 | 18.4% | 21.3% | 72,300 59,000 to 87,800 |
| 2015 | 8,173 | 19.5% | 24.4% | 81,600 66,800 to 98,500 |
| 2014 | 6,163 | 16.2% | 27.7% | 92,300 74,700 to 111,500 |
| 2013 | 4,555 | 19.6% | 30.6% | 101,900 83,600 to 122,600 |
| 2012 | 3,323 | 20.7% | 33.4% | 111,500 92,600 to 132,900 |
| 2011 | 2,994 | 22.4% | 36.1% | 119,700 97,500 to 144,800 |
| 2010 | 1,282 | 28.4% | 38.6% | 126,000 107,100 to 147,900 |
| 2009 | 2,033 | 30.4% | 39.8% | 124,800 104,500 to 146,400 |
| 2008 | 2,571 | 34.0% | 41.5% | 134,300 114,400 to 159,300 |
| 2007 | 3,629 | 34.8% | 41.5% | 141,100 120,000 to 166,000 |
| 2006 | 2,808 | 33.1% | 42.4% | 145,400 121,900 to 168,800 |
| 2005 | 1,815 | 33.9% | 42.2% | 147,600 123,200 to 172,300 |
| 2004 | 932 | 31.1% | 42.3% | 136,400 112,100 to 162,500 |
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 Touareg tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Touareg | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 4.6% | 6.9% |
| Suspension | 4.2% | 5.5% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.8% | 4.2% |
| Brakes Less than most | 2.4% | 4.2% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.3% | 2.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.2% | 2.9% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.6% | 2.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring3.2%
- Tyre1.8%
- Rear fog light1.5%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Headlamp aim1.1%
- Engine warning light1.0%
- Brake pads0.9%
- Brake light0.7%
- Headlamp0.7%
- Side light0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
- Rear fog light: not working1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
- Side light: not working0.6%
- Brake light: not working0.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
- Airbag warning light: warning lamp indicates a fault0.5%
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 edge9.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.6%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.4%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.2%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Touareg's own MOT record
Looking at a Touareg? Type its registration to 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.