Volkswagen Touran: what fails at MOT
102,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Touran in 2024, counted. 31% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
31% of Volkswagen Touran tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 31.3%, so the Touran is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (9.2% of tests), lights and electrics (6.8% of tests) and tyres (6.2% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
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 | 1,845 | 10.6% | 10.9% | 25,500 17,100 to 36,500 |
| 2020 | 3,748 | 12.2% | 11.5% | 30,600 21,500 to 42,000 |
| 2019 | 3,821 | 13.2% | 13.4% | 38,400 26,400 to 52,900 |
| 2018 | 5,060 | 17.7% | 15.6% | 50,000 37,900 to 68,300 |
| 2017 | 5,706 | 18.0% | 18.2% | 58,400 43,800 to 77,100 |
| 2016 | 4,961 | 17.9% | 21.3% | 69,300 52,100 to 90,500 |
| 2015 | 5,251 | 25.3% | 24.4% | 80,600 61,100 to 105,100 |
| 2014 | 6,930 | 24.4% | 27.7% | 86,500 63,000 to 112,000 |
| 2013 | 8,033 | 26.0% | 30.6% | 91,400 65,100 to 119,200 |
| 2012 | 8,110 | 29.5% | 33.4% | 104,300 78,200 to 133,700 |
| 2011 | 8,412 | 31.1% | 36.1% | 112,900 84,800 to 140,100 |
| 2010 | 6,426 | 40.4% | 38.6% | 125,100 101,000 to 151,700 |
| 2009 | 7,130 | 42.2% | 39.8% | 130,400 106,300 to 157,300 |
| 2008 | 6,843 | 43.1% | 41.5% | 137,500 111,800 to 162,400 |
| 2007 | 7,551 | 42.0% | 41.5% | 140,200 115,600 to 166,400 |
| 2006 | 5,457 | 48.0% | 42.4% | 142,100 117,900 to 166,800 |
| 2005 | 4,067 | 46.3% | 42.2% | 150,000 123,400 to 176,200 |
| 2004 | 2,702 | 47.5% | 42.3% | 152,800 125,100 to 175,800 |
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 Touran tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Touran | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 9.2% | 7.6% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 6.8% | 9.2% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.2% | 4.5% |
| Brakes | 5.1% | 5.5% |
| Body and structure | 3.1% | 3.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.8% | 2.6% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% | 0.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.6%
- Tyre tread2.2%
- Coil spring2.2%
- Driveshaft joint2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover2.0%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
- Brake light1.7%
- Brake pads1.6%
- Washers1.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
- Brake light: not working1.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
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 edge18.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement10.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.5%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.4%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.6%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “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 Touran's own MOT record
Looking at a Touran? 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.