Comparison · family SUVs

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V: which is more reliable?

The Honda CR-V does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 106 for the Volkswagen Tiguan, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 430,057 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Tiguan

106Above average
MOT tests235,248

Honda CR-V

109Well above average
MOT tests194,809

By age

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

Age at testVolkswagen TiguanHonda CR-V
3–5 years
103Above average
107Above average
6–9 years
107Above average
112Well above average
10–14 years
107Above average
119Well above average
15+ years
109Well above average
100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen TiguanHonda CR-V
202189.1%92.4%
202089.0%92.6%
201988.1%91.6%
201886.4%88.9%
201786.4%86.6%
201684.2%86.3%
201578.3%85.0%
201474.4%82.3%
201373.4%81.0%
201269.3%75.3%
201165.4%72.2%
201063.3%71.1%
200963.4%67.0%
200862.0%62.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen TiguanHonda CR-V
Lights & electrics4.015.7
Suspension7.811.4
Tyres6.35.4
Brakes4.26.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.14.6
Emissions & leaks1.93.4
Body & chassis1.02.9
Steering0.32.6

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%

Honda CR-V: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
  2. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.7%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.5%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Honda CR-V?

The Honda CR-V does better at the MOT, with a score of 109 against 106 for the Volkswagen Tiguan, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda CR-V can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2008–2021). The Volkswagen Tiguan had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Honda CR-V in 14.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Tiguan: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Honda CR-V: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; position lamp: not working.