2021 Volkswagen Tiguan — MOT failures & pass rate
51,720 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan are in this dataset, and 91.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and brakes (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 1,298 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 11.8% in the 120-150k band, a 5.5-point spread.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 5.5% fail against 8.9% for diesel, a 3.4-point gap across 14,784 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.6% in 2021 to 8.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 2,131 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.3% | 1,202 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 864 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 558 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 543 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 293 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,298 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,045 |
| 3 | Wipers | 764 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 555 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 435 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 273 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.3% | 10,481 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.3% | 8,968 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.8% | 5,082 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.3% | 3,754 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,509 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 207 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 25,079 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 24,120 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,231 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 246 | 11.0% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,936 | 7.9% |
| Diesel | 14,095 | 8.9% |
| Hybrid | 689 | 5.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 1,145 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 25,640 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 24,882 | 8.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Tiguan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Visibility (1.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Volkswagen Tiguans pass their MOT?
91.8% of the 51,720 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by brakes (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Tiguan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 51,720 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.