Used car guide

2005 Volkswagen Touareg petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen Touareg first registered in 2005 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 167 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 167 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

167MOTs of 2005 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
6,800typical miles a year
36%had suspension flagged

Common 2005 Volkswagen Touareg petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Volkswagen Touareg petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    29% 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    10% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Touareg?

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Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Touareg compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,063Tyres 24%
20214,046Tyres 23%
20205,900Tyres 22%
20198,734Tyres 22%
20184,665Tyres 22%
20179,744Tyres 23%
201611,497Tyres 23%
201512,353Tyres 24%
20149,164Tyres 25%
20136,937Tyres 26%
20125,554Tyres 26%
20115,067Tyres 26%
20102,179Suspension 34%
20093,295Suspension 37%
20084,287Suspension 40%
20075,908Suspension 39%
20065,013Suspension 45%
20041,897Suspension 44%
2003535Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Touareg cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score