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Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) (2016-2023) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW)
excellent reliability2016-2023SUVDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL

Based on 194,092 tests of Tiguan models registered 2016-2023.

About 1 in 9 diesel Tiguan cars registered in 2022 (11.8%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 2,971 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 50 Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) MOTs (1.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 32,240 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) MOTs (5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 32,240 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 (AD/BW) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
22,8989.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
28,3189.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
32,85810.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
38,04212.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
32,24012.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
27,12913.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
12,60717.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 9 years old.

How the Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) compares

At each age below, see how the Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 266,306 tests across 19 Volkswagen models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
22,8989.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
28,3189.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
32,85810.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
38,04212.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
32,24012.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
27,12913.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
12,60717.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW).

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 12.8% for the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 12.8% for the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW), both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 12.8% for the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW), both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

29 recalls in all

22 of the 29 Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 21 more

Top concerns

  • The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire
  • 48VS - steering rack bolt replacement
  • 48VT - steering rack bolt replacement

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,688 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
7%
Emissions
6%

Wear items

Tyres
23%
Brakes
11%
Lighting
5%
How Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) cars have aged

How Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.1% (18,418 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (17,095 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (18,414 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.1% (16,791 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (15,932 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (26,771 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (24,746 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (24,050 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (23,562 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (23,726 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (21,078 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (20,090 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (19,728 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (19,410 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (20,034 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.7% (18,912 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (18,358 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (17,896 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (17,520 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (13,113 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (12,892 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (12,675 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (12,505 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (12,607 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk2 (AD/BW) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 (AD/BW) cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension8%8%7%5%
Brakes10%8%11%12%
Emissions3%5%6%12%
Tyres13%14%23%21%
Lighting3%3%5%5%
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 356 to 1,902 cars at each age.

Mk2 (AD/BW) variants compared

Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • TIGUAN13.2%24,039 tests

Petrol

  • TIGUAN11.6%8,121 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Tiguans of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Tiguan built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 (AD/BW) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.9%
    Advisory: 8,966Fail: 1,030 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.3%
    Advisory: 4,042Fail: 579 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.1%
    Advisory: 5,144Fail: 42 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.4%
    Advisory: 4,094Fail: 529 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    4.8%
    Advisory: 2,002Fail: 413 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 32,240 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (AD/BW) (2016-2023) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 32,240 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 194,092 MOT tests on Volkswagen Tiguans first registered between 2016-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.