2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol?

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

• Engine warning light5.1× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  16.4% All 2004 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 16.4%, against 3.2% 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  19.7% All 2004 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.1% of all 2004 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  8.5% All 2004 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  12.3% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.7% of all 2004 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  12% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  54% 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
  43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  40% 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.

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% 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.

Known faults on the 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol

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.

• 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 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol

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 warning light? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2004 Volkswagen Touran petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?