2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3.1× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  26.4% All 2003 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Tread depth1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  32.4% All 2003 cars

  18.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

• Sub-frame3.4× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  15.6% All 2003 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  15.3% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Shock absorbers2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  14.7% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  61% 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.

• Tyres
  41% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  41% 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
  36% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  15% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Loose diesel pump bolts

  Diesel

  Some early diesels had loose bolts on part of the fuel pump that could cause a fuel leak. VW should have fixed them under warranty.

  At the viewing: Look and sniff for diesel leaks around the engine. A VW dealer can confirm the work was done.

  Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

• Flywheel and turbo failures

  All engines

  Flywheel failure has been reported, and some older diesels have had turbo failures.

  At the viewing: Listen for rattles at idle and when the clutch is used, and look for smoke or flat spots on acceleration.

  Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

• Electrical and cooling fan faults

  All engines

  Electrical faults are the most common problem and can knock out the dashboard warning lights. The cooling fan can fail, and the seatbelt warning can malfunction.

  At the viewing: Check every warning light shows at start-up, and that the fan runs when the engine is hot.

  Source: What Car?: Volkswagen Touran (2003-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Volkswagen Touran 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2003 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?