2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  5.4% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  4.4% All 2018 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2018 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.

• Engine warning light2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  2.6% All 2018 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.9% of all 2018 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.

• Brake lights2.9× usual
  Volkswagen Touran

  2.3% All 2018 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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
  23% 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.

• Suspension
  11% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  7% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  7% 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
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2018 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.

• Airbag, fuel tank and other recalls

  Some cars

  Recalls also covered airbags and pre-tensioners that might not fire, fuel tank wall thickness, low-speed engine torque, the panoramic roof lighting and head restraints.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Touran (2015 on) reliability

• Faults are common and costly

  All engines

  Half the cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, most often gearbox or clutch, and 13% of owners paid over £1,500. Check the DSG for judder, especially when slowing.

  At the viewing: Drive in slow traffic and feel for juddering, and test every electrical item.

  Source: What Car?: used Volkswagen Touran (2015 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel

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

1. Have all the recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2018 Volkswagen Touran diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?