2009 Volkswagen Touareg — MOT failures & pass rate
7,403 MOT tests on the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 1.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and suspension (10.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, stop lamp and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 642 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 30-60k band and 23.4% in the 150k+ band, a 10.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 997 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 787 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.0% | 448 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.8% | 358 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 343 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 250 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 642 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 329 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 273 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 239 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 229 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 227 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 25.2% | 1,867 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.8% | 1,838 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.1% | 1,640 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 1,165 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 1,030 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.5% | 706 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 172 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,060 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,502 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,282 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,357 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,330 | 23.3% |
| Petrol | 73 | 13.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,685 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 1,629 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 1,474 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 1,366 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 1,249 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Touareg
On a 2009 Touareg, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.0% 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.
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 2009 Volkswagen Touaregs pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 7,403 2009 Volkswagen Touareg MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2009 Touareg get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 30-60k band to 23.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,403 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.