Volkswagen Touareg MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 37,548 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Touareg carried out in 2023. 24% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Touaregs passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2003 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (78% passed, +12.5 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2017 models fared worst (78%, −3.4 points). Tested cars had covered 88,285 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 9.7% of tests (slightly below the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.9% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 37,548
- First-time pass rate
- 76%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +4.5 points
- Average mileage at test
- 88,285
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Touareg?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Touareg MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 91% | 91% | −0.0 points | 29,620 |
| 2020 | 2,024 | 91% | 88% | +2.9 points | 31,161 |
| 2019 | 3,007 | 90% | 86% | +3.8 points | 38,715 |
| 2018 | 1,562 | 87% | 84% | +2.4 points | 46,865 |
| 2017 | 3,278 | 78% | 82% | −3.4 points | 56,587 |
| 2016 | 3,890 | 78% | 79% | −0.8 points | 67,012 |
| 2015 | 4,177 | 77% | 75% | +1.8 points | 75,587 |
| 2014 | 3,140 | 80% | 72% | +8.5 points | 86,269 |
| 2013 | 2,384 | 77% | 68% | +9.2 points | 96,515 |
| 2012 | 1,956 | 78% | 66% | +12.5 points | 105,212 |
| 2011 | 1,785 | 72% | 63% | +9.1 points | 116,088 |
| 2010 | 788 | 64% | 60% | +3.5 points | 123,497 |
| 2009 | 1,195 | 64% | 59% | +5.3 points | 122,054 |
| 2008 | 1,605 | 64% | 57% | +6.6 points | 133,659 |
| 2007 | 2,249 | 64% | 57% | +6.9 points | 136,600 |
| 2006 | 1,993 | 64% | 56% | +7.7 points | 142,421 |
| 2005 | 1,411 | 63% | 56% | +6.5 points | 142,243 |
| 2004 | 790 | 65% | 56% | +9.1 points | 135,964 |
| 2003 | 215 | 65% | 57% | +8.5 points | 130,620 |
Why the Volkswagen Touareg fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Touareg | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 7.6% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 4.8% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 2.6% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.4% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.7% | 1.0% |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.9%
- 2fractured or broken5.8%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- 4inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
- 5has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- 7has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- 8does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%
- 9warning lamp indicates a fault1.0%
- 10too low1.0%
Common Touareg MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Touareg, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.3% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.6% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.8% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.0% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.5% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.5% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.5% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 2.4% |
Tips to help your Touareg pass
Based on where Touaregs most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 9.7% of Touareg tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 4.8% of Touareg tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Touareg ULEZ compliant? See the Volkswagen Touareg ULEZ check, or view all Volkswagen models.
Other Volkswagen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 37,548 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Touareg carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 37,548 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Touareg.
What is the Volkswagen Touareg MOT failure rate?
In our data, 24% of 37,548 first MOT attempts on the Volkswagen Touareg ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volkswagen Touareg fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (9.7% of tests), suspension (7.6% of tests), tyres (5.5% of tests).
Which Touareg year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 78% passed first time, +12.5 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2017, at 78% (−3.4 points).
How many miles had a typical Volkswagen Touareg covered at its MOT?
The average was 88,285 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 29,620 miles and 2003 cars 130,620.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen Touareg?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.3% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.5% of Touaregs failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Touareg's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 37,548 Touaregs in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 63% to 91% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Touareg's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.