Volkswagen Tiguan reliability: what 707k MOT tests show
Across 707,203 MOT tests on Volkswagen Tiguan cars first used between 2008 and 2023, 81.9% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Allowing for age, the Tiguan beats a typical car tested at the same age by 4.3 points. That is the fairer test, and it puts the model above average. At its first MOT, at three years old, 88.6% of Tiguans pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. The most common reason for a fail is tyre tread below the legal minimum.
The Tiguan's weak points
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is recorded on 15% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan tests, followed by a worn suspension bush at 9.6% and brake pads worn below 1.5mm at 9.1%. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Tread is the one item a driver can check at home with a 20p coin: if the outer band of the coin shows above the tread, the tyre is close to the 1.6mm limit.
What testers flag before it fails
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Tiguan the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (16.1% of tests) and worn brake discs (12.1%). The advisory conversion table shows which of these are worth acting on first.
Does fuel type matter on a Tiguan?
Among Volkswagen Tiguan cars, hybrid versions pass 92.4% of the time and diesel versions 79.6%, a gap of 12.8 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear. Hybrid versions are newer cars on average, so some of that gap is age rather than engineering.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 79.6% | 523,632 |
| Petrol | 88.3% | 181,896 |
| Hybrid | 92.4% | 1,433 |
Volkswagen Tiguan pass rate by year
Pass rates run from 61.5% for 2008 cars to 88.8% for 2023 cars. Most of that spread is age: a car tested at ten years old has had far more chances to wear something out than one tested at four.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2023 | 88.8% | 1,179 | 12,718 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2022 | 88.5% | 20,261 | 9,726 | 88.4% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 | 89.7% | 47,113 | 9,412 | 89.1% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2020 | 88.6% | 73,296 | 8,687 | 88.2% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2019 | 88.1% | 106,327 | 8,509 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 | 86.7% | 87,353 | 8,796 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2017 | 86.4% | 78,142 | 8,963 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2016 | 83.6% | 55,136 | 8,657 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2015 | 78.1% | 59,203 | 8,473 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2014 | 74.5% | 45,594 | 8,365 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2013 | 73% | 36,499 | 8,399 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2012 | 68.6% | 26,799 | 8,641 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 | 65.6% | 20,158 | 8,647 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2010 | 63.3% | 19,730 | 8,391 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2009 | 62.3% | 18,063 | 8,112 | – |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2008 | 61.5% | 12,350 | 8,069 | – |
Pass rate by mileage
On the 2019 cars, a Tiguan under 40,000 miles passes 90.4% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 82.4%. When comparing two used Tiguans, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2019 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.4% | 54,292 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.5% | 34,697 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.9% | 12,472 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 81.9% | 3,523 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.4% | 1,343 |
Compared with other cars
Set against the rest of the Volkswagen range, which averages 72.6%, the Tiguan at 81.9% is above par. Within the family, see Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate (74.4%), Volkswagen Polo reliability (67.2%), Passat common problems (71.1%) and how the up! does (80.3%), or the Volkswagen range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a Tiguan against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (77.2%) and Vauxhall Mokka (71.5%). The ranking of every make puts them side by side, and the UK pass rates by age and fuel give the baseline.
Failure lists and mileage by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Volkswagen Tiguan 2023 88.8% pass 1,179 tests
On a 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 24.2% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 22.7%.
2023 cars pass 89.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 100% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.5% | 1,035 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.5% | 121 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 90% | 20 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 50% | 2 |
| Over 100,000 | 100% | 1 |
Volkswagen Tiguan 2022 88.5% pass 20,261 tests88.4% at first MOT
On a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 23.9% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 19%.
2022 cars pass 89.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 81.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.4% | 17,042 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.5% | 2,685 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.6% | 409 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 82.8% | 87 |
| Over 100,000 | 81.6% | 38 |
By fuel: petrol 88.3% (15,972 tests), diesel 88.9% (3,498 tests), hybrid 91.2% (791 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2021 89.7% pass 47,113 tests89.1% at first MOT
On a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 17.5% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 15.9%.
2021 cars pass 90.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 82.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.6% | 35,453 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 87% | 9,420 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 85.6% | 1,733 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 88.6% | 370 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.5% | 137 |
By fuel: petrol 89.9% (33,760 tests), diesel 88.8% (12,711 tests), hybrid 93.8% (642 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2020 88.6% pass 73,296 tests88.2% at first MOT
On a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 15.9% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 14.3%.
2020 cars pass 90% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 85.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90% | 50,746 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.2% | 17,005 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.9% | 4,226 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.9% | 967 |
| Over 100,000 | 85.2% | 352 |
By fuel: petrol 89.5% (40,541 tests), diesel 87.6% (32,755 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2019 88.1% pass 106,327 tests
On a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 15.8% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 13.4%.
2019 cars pass 90.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 82.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.4% | 54,292 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.5% | 34,697 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.9% | 12,472 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 81.9% | 3,523 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.4% | 1,343 |
By fuel: diesel 87% (63,291 tests), petrol 89.7% (43,036 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 86.7% pass 87,353 tests
On a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 18% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 13%.
2018 cars pass 90.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 79.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.2% | 25,578 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.6% | 34,552 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.3% | 18,466 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 82.3% | 6,034 |
| Over 100,000 | 79.9% | 2,721 |
By fuel: diesel 86.2% (62,626 tests), petrol 87.8% (24,727 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2017 86.4% pass 78,142 tests
On a 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, a dashboard warning light appears on 19.4% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 17.8%.
2017 cars pass 90% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 82.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90% | 11,819 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 87.4% | 27,339 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 85.7% | 23,479 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 83.4% | 10,436 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.3% | 5,067 |
By fuel: diesel 86.2% (66,544 tests), petrol 87.6% (11,598 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2016 83.6% pass 55,136 tests
On a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 13.8% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 12.1%.
2016 cars pass 88.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.9% | 5,735 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.8% | 15,517 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.5% | 17,607 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.2% | 10,382 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.6% | 5,893 |
By fuel: diesel 83.4% (52,317 tests), petrol 88.6% (2,819 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2015 78.1% pass 59,203 tests
On a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan, a worn suspension bush appears on 18.8% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 17%.
2015 cars pass 87.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 71.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.8% | 3,899 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83% | 12,827 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.7% | 18,885 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.6% | 13,608 |
| Over 100,000 | 71.9% | 9,983 |
By fuel: diesel 78.1% (58,285 tests), petrol 81.7% (918 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2014 74.5% pass 45,594 tests
On a 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 19.2% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 18%.
2014 cars pass 85.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 68.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.1% | 2,230 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.6% | 7,301 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.2% | 12,658 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.8% | 11,660 |
| Over 100,000 | 68.7% | 11,743 |
By fuel: diesel 74.5% (44,236 tests), petrol 75.9% (1,358 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2013 73% pass 36,499 tests
On a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 25.1% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 17.4%.
2013 cars pass 82.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 68.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82.9% | 1,009 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.2% | 3,857 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.4% | 8,285 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.2% | 10,043 |
| Over 100,000 | 68.6% | 13,304 |
By fuel: diesel 72.9% (35,318 tests), petrol 76.7% (1,181 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2012 68.6% pass 26,799 tests
On a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 25.9% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 16.1%.
2012 cars pass 82% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 65.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82% | 527 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 77% | 1,803 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 73.9% | 4,243 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 69% | 6,532 |
| Over 100,000 | 65.1% | 13,691 |
By fuel: diesel 68.4% (25,789 tests), petrol 72.7% (1,007 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 65.6% pass 20,158 tests
On a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 23.4% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 16.9%.
2011 cars pass 80.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 63.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 80.3% | 229 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 78% | 801 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 69.7% | 2,302 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 66.2% | 4,269 |
| Over 100,000 | 63.6% | 12,555 |
By fuel: diesel 65.4% (19,049 tests), petrol 68.2% (1,109 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2010 63.3% pass 19,730 tests
On a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 20.7% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 17.5%.
2010 cars pass 81.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 61.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.3% | 208 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74% | 646 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 69.3% | 1,831 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 65.4% | 3,632 |
| Over 100,000 | 61.2% | 13,412 |
By fuel: diesel 62.9% (18,611 tests), petrol 69.5% (1,119 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2009 62.3% pass 18,063 tests
On a 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 19.5% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 15.8%.
2009 cars pass 78.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 60.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 78.6% | 140 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 73.5% | 430 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 69.9% | 1,443 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 62.3% | 2,785 |
| Over 100,000 | 60.9% | 13,257 |
By fuel: diesel 62.2% (16,975 tests), petrol 63.5% (1,088 tests).
Volkswagen Tiguan 2008 61.5% pass 12,350 tests
On a 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan, a broken coil spring appears on 19.7% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 15.3%.
2008 cars pass 76.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 60% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 76.2% | 63 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 71.7% | 173 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 69.3% | 616 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 66% | 1,578 |
| Over 100,000 | 60% | 9,919 |
By fuel: diesel 61.4% (11,627 tests), petrol 62.7% (723 tests).
Questions people ask
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
On MOT evidence the Volkswagen Tiguan is above average. It passes 81.9% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 4.3 points. 88.6% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 707,203 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Volkswagen Tiguan MOT failures?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum (15% of failed tests), a worn suspension bush (9.6%) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (9.1%). Tread is the one item a driver can check at home with a 20p coin: if the outer band of the coin shows above the tread, the tyre is close to the 1.6mm limit.
Which Volkswagen Tiguan year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2021 cars have the highest pass rate at 89.7% and 2008 cars the lowest at 61.5%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Volkswagen Tiguan usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 16.1% of all Tiguan tests, then worn brake discs (12.1%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Volkswagen Tiguan do?
About 8,696 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is close to the UK average of roughly 7,400.
How do I check a particular Volkswagen Tiguan?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Own a Tiguan?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 8,696 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.