Used buying checklist
Volkswagen Touareg reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Volkswagen Touareg looks about average for reliability in UK MOT data: 17.4% of 42,941 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 17.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 86,162 miles
- 7,490 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (12.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, and excessively corroded.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- lens defective which has no effect on emitted light
- slightly damaged
- lens slightly defective
- worn down to wear indicator
- leaking excessively from engine
- emits excessive smoke or vapour likely to obscure the vision of other road users
Focus on corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 17.4%, -1.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed42,941 tests
- Median tested mileage86,162 miles
- Failed MOT tests7,490
Should you buy a used Volkswagen Touareg?
82.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 17.4%, -1.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (12.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Touareg, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 6.2% at 0-3 years to 23.5% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (12.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Touareg, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (12.2 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Volkswagen Touareg mainly involve 6 areas: seatbelts and safety systems, mixed recall notices, suspension and steering, and brakes. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Touareg, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 7,882 | 6,859 | 10.1%-0.7 percentage points vs all models | 37,740 miles |
| 50-100k | 17,914 | 14,733 | 16.6%-4.2 percentage points vs all models | 73,534 miles |
| 100-150k | 12,101 | 9,372 | 21.4%-4.8 percentage points vs all models | 121,832 miles |
| 150-200k | 4,257 | 3,251 | 23.7%-3.6 percentage points vs all models | 165,539 miles |
| 200k+ | 538 | 430 | 21.8%-4.8 percentage points vs all models | 215,946 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Touareg, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 6.2% at 0-3 years to 23.5% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 23.5% for 15+ years cars, based on 9,459 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
517 | 490 | 6.2%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
7,260 | 6,225 | 10.8%+0.2 percentage points vs all models | 4.5 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
16,624 | 13,411 | 16.2%-0.4 percentage points vs all models | 7.9 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
9,081 | 7,201 | 19.3%-4.2 percentage points vs all models | 12.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
9,459 | 7,143 | 23.5%-2.4 percentage points vs all models | 16.8 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-12-15 | Hybrid battery management reprogramming On Touareg vehicles with hybrid drive systems and of a limited production period there may be deviations on the high-voltage battery system. A measure is necessary because on individual battery modules deviations with important technical parameters were established. Over the life of the vehicle these can cause a fault in the affected battery modules. As a result charging the high-voltage battery can cause a danger of fire with the risk of severe to life threatening injuries for persons in and/or outside of the vehicle as well as severe material damage. NOTE: Until the check of your vehicle has been completed we ask that you do not charge the high-voltage battery externally. In hybrid mode select the setting “battery hold” at a charge level of max. 50%. Also avoid pure electric driving. On the affected vehicles the software in the control unit for hybrid battery management is updated |
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| 2023-12-20 | On certain vehicles the side airbag fitted in the seat (front left) may not have been correctly secured onto the seat frame. On certain vehicles the side airbag fitted in the seat (front left) may not have been correctly secured onto the seat frame. Inspect the side airbag unit and where necessary remove and correctly reinstall the side airbag |
| 2021-10-13 | IF THE REAR LID IS OPENED AND MANUALLY PUSHED UP TOO FAR THE ELECTRIC SPINDLE DRIVE CAN SUDDENLY SEPARATE AND EXPAND If the rear lid is opened and manually pushed up too far the electric spindle drive can suddenly separate and expand. The drive unit(s) for the rear lid are to be checked and if within the affected rangereplaced. |
| 2021-06-21 | NUTS FITTED IN THE BOLTED CONNECTION OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT TRANSVERSE LINK MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFCATION Nuts of deviating material quality were fitted in the bolted connection of the right and left transverse link on the bottom of the multi-link rear axle. The nuts of the right and left transverse link on the bottom of the multi-link rear axle will be replaced. |
| 2020-05-13 | A WELDED CONNECTION OF THE GEARBOX OIL PIPE CAN CAUSE A LEAK OF GEAR OIL A welded connection of the gearbox oil pipe can cause a leak of gear oil. Check whether the gearbox oil pipe is within the affected production period. If this is the case the pipe is replaced. |
| 2020-03-18 | BOLTED CONNECTION BETWEEN STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING RACK MAY LOOSEN The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack may not have been tightened to the correct torque. The bolted connection of the intermediate steering shaft has to be replaced |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Volkswagen Touareg. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Volkswagen reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.