2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Touareg

  26.4% All 2004 cars

  14.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Volkswagen Touareg

  14% All 2004 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Sub-frame bushes17.6× usual
  Volkswagen Touareg

  8.8% All 2004 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Seat belts3.4× usual
  Volkswagen Touareg

  5.4% All 2004 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

• Airbag warning light2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touareg

  5% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  34% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  29% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  28% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 17.6× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?