2018 Volkswagen Touareg — MOT failures & pass rate
8,654 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Touareg are in this dataset, and 90.0% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 10.4%, so the 2018 Touareg sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.7%) and suspension (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 286 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.8% versus 6.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.7% | 323 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 296 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.6% | 141 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 126 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.0% | 85 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 67 |
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 | 286 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 159 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 157 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 68 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 62 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 60 |
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 | 17.3% | 1,498 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 1,097 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.7% | 579 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.1% | 265 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 233 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 44 |
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 | 2,067 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,352 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,778 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 355 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 7.9% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 12.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,688 | 7.4% |
| 2022 | 1,698 | 7.0% |
| 2023 | 1,742 | 10.7% |
| 2024 | 1,774 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 1,752 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Touareg
On a 2018 Touareg, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.7% 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.
- Suspension (3.4% 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 (1.6% 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 2018 Volkswagen Touaregs pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 8,654 2018 Volkswagen Touareg MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volkswagen Touareg?
Tyres, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2018 Touareg get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 12.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,654 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.