2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  20% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Link ball joint covers3.5× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  7% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Number plates1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  5.6% All 2012 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Sub-frame1.6× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  5.7% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  38% 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
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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 2012 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 2012 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 2.2× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?