Volkswagen Tiguan R MOT pass rate and common problems
92.9% of 1,485 Volkswagen Tiguan R MOT tests pass.
The Tiguan R passes its MOT 92.9% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen Tiguan R passes its MOT 92.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volkswagen Tiguan R?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Tiguan R in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 92.2% at 0–3 years compared with 94.8% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.2% | 1,038 | 25,073 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.8% | 444 | 30,904 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Tiguan R
The most common reason the Volkswagen Tiguan R fails its MOT is tyres — present in 68.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 68.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.8% | Too high |
| Suspension | 7.2% | Fractured or broken |
| Visibility | 5.8% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.3% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 3.6% | Fractured |
| Brakes | 1.4% | Incorrectly mounted |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan R: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Tiguan R’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.6% down to 91.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 68.1% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan R MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 13.8% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan R MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 7.2% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan R MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 5.8% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan R MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 4.3% of failed Volkswagen Tiguan R MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen E-Up — 94.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen California Ocean — 93.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen Multivan — 85.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Golf Clubsport — 94.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Phaeton — 84.2% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caddy Maxi — 85.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Tiguan R?
- 92.9% of Volkswagen Tiguan R MOT tests pass, based on 1,485 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Tiguan R?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Tiguan R fails its MOT is tyres — present in 68.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Tiguan R?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Tiguan R are tyres; lights and electrics; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan R?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; suspension; windscreen and wipers; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Tiguan R's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.