2021 Volkswagen Touran — MOT failures & pass rate
2,434 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Touran are in this dataset, and 91.5% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), the 2021 Touran comes out 1.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) 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 brake pads, headlamp aim and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 58 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Touran fails 6.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 9.8% in 2021 to 6.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.3% | 56 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 33 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 21 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 58 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 28 |
| 4 | Wipers | 19 |
| 5 | Washers | 17 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 15 |
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 | 22.1% | 539 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 349 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.1% | 222 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.5% | 109 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 66 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 24 |
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 | 1,129 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,112 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 144 | 8.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,171 | 8.1% |
| Diesel | 263 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 155 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 1,112 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 1,053 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Touran
On a 2021 Touran, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 Tourans pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 2,434 2021 Volkswagen Touran MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Touran?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by brakes (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Touran get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,434 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.