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Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) (2018-present) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) right now?

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

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) 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 Touareg Mk3 (CR) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2018-presentSUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 10,183 tests of Touareg models registered 2018+.

About 1 in 12 diesel Touareg cars registered in 2022 (8.2%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 577 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 Touareg Mk3 (CR) MOTs (2.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 760 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 1.9% and 4.3%. 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 40 Touareg Mk3 (CR) MOTs (2.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 760 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 1.8% and 4.2%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 (CR) 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
1,3577.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,4797.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,53510.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,05214.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
76014.0%

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 6 years old.

How the Touareg Mk3 (CR) compares

At each age below, see how the Touareg Mk3 (CR) 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
1,3577.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,4797.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,53510.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,05214.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
76014.0%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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 Touareg Mk3 (CR).

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) 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

    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 14.0% for the Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR), both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Audi Q2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 14.0% for the Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR), both built around 2018.

    15,997 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Honda HR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    3.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 14.0% for the Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR), both built around 2018.

    6,689 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

15 recalls in all

8 of the 15 Touareg Mk3 (CR) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Hybrid battery management reprogramming
  • On certain vehicles the side airbag fitted in the seat (front left) may not have been correctly secured onto the seat fr
  • If the rear lid is opened and manually pushed up too far the electric spindle drive can suddenly separate and expand

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

What has gone wrong on Touareg Mk3 (CR) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 132 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
17%
Emissions
2%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Tyres
20%
Brakes
9%
Lighting
5%
How Touareg Mk3 (CR) cars have aged

How Touareg Mk3 (CR) 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%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (1,657 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (1,554 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (1,465 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (1,362 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 8.4% (1,201 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.1% (2,411 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (2,199 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (2,137 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (2,003 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.1% (1,127 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.8% (957 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (854 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (813 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (760 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk3 (CR) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk3 (CR) 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
Suspension2%21%17%11%
BrakesNo figure6%9%14%
EmissionsNo figure1%2%9%
Tyres8%15%20%26%
LightingNo figure1%5%37%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 51 to 257 cars at each age.

Mk3 (CR) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Touaregs of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Touareg built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (CR) 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

    15.7%
    Advisory: 638Fail: 43 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.1%
    Advisory: 252Fail: 18 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Major

    Rear fog light not working

    5.7%
    Advisory: 8Fail: 123 (94% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    5.3%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 129 (85% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.0%
    Advisory: 116Fail: 22 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,294 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Touareg Mk3 (CR) 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 Touareg Mk3 (CR) (2018-present) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 760 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 10,183 MOT tests on Volkswagen Touaregs first registered from 2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.