Comparison · family SUVs

Volkswagen Tiguan vs BMW X1: which is more reliable?

The BMW X1 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 106 for the Volkswagen Tiguan, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 334,311 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Tiguan

106Above average
MOT tests235,248

BMW X1

108Above average
MOT tests99,063

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testVolkswagen TiguanBMW X1
3–5 years
103Above average
104Above average
6–9 years
107Above average
108Well above average
10–14 years
107Above average
111Well above average
15+ years
109Well above average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen TiguanBMW X1
202189.1%89.1%
202089.0%90.7%
201988.1%89.7%
201886.4%87.0%
201786.4%86.0%
201684.2%85.7%
201578.3%79.8%
201474.4%73.5%
201373.4%74.0%
201269.3%69.7%
201165.4%70.5%
201063.3%69.6%
200963.4%68.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen TiguanBMW X1
Tyres6.37.0
Suspension7.84.0
Lights & electrics4.05.1
Brakes4.23.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.12.8
Emissions & leaks1.91.0
Body & chassis1.00.9
Seat belts & airbags0.60.2

Volkswagen Tiguan: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

BMW X1: top failures

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Tiguan or the BMW X1?

The BMW X1 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 106 for the Volkswagen Tiguan, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Tiguan and BMW X1 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The Volkswagen Tiguan had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the BMW X1 in 11.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Tiguan: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. BMW X1: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn.