At a Glance
The Volkswagen Tiguan has 21 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2007-2016) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volkswagen Tiguan common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volkswagen Tiguan generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volkswagen Tiguan Generations
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Most Common Volkswagen Tiguan MOT Failures
Every reason Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 16.07% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 14.20% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 12.98% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 8.48% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.22% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.56% |
| 7 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.67% |
| 8 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.07% |
| 9 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.07% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 2.46% |
| 11 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.31% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.26% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.20% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.17% |
| 15 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.75% |
| 16 | Airbag warning light on | 1.39% |
| 17 | Headlamp fault | 1.32% |
| 18 | Stop lamp not working | 1.10% |
| 19 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.74% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.70% |
| 21 | Track rod end worn | 0.62% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 0.61% |
| 23 | Exhaust system fault | 0.57% |
| 24 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.54% |
| 25 | ABS fault | 0.46% |
| 26 | Front lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 27 | Horn not working | 0.43% |
| 28 | Indicator fault | 0.43% |
| 29 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.32% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.28% |
| 32 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.25% |
| 33 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.23% |
| 34 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 35 | Rear lamp not working | 0.20% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.19% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.16% |
| 39 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 40 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.15% |
| 41 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.12% |
| 42 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.12% |
| 43 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 44 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.11% |
| 45 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.11% |
| 46 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 47 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 48 | Steering rack fault | 0.09% |
| 49 | Fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 50 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.09% |
| 51 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 52 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 53 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 54 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 55 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.05% |
| 56 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 57 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 58 | Brake caliper fault | 0.05% |
| 59 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 60 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.04% |
| 61 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 62 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 63 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 64 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 66 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 67 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 68 | Front suspension fault | 0.03% |
| 69 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 70 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 71 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | 0.03% |
| 72 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 73 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.02% |
| 74 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 75 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 76 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 77 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.01% |
| 78 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 79 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 80 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 81 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 82 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 83 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.01% |
| 84 | Chassis condition | 0.01% |
| 85 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 86 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 87 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 88 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 89 | Brake fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 90 | Brake pedal fault | <0.01% |
| 91 | Rear suspension fault | <0.01% |
| 92 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 93 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 94 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 95 | Steering lock fault | <0.01% |
| 96 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 97 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 98 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 100 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 101 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 102 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 103 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 104 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 123 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 125 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Parking brake condition | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 144 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 145 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 149 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 152 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 160 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 160 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volkswagen Tiguan MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volkswagen Tiguan, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volkswagen Tiguan problems?
Based on analysis of 1.4M Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 21 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Volkswagen Tiguan generation has the most problems?
The Volkswagen Tiguan Mk1 (2007-2016) (2007–2016) has the highest number of identified common problems (20). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volkswagen Tiguan?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volkswagen Tiguan owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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