Comparison · family SUVs

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Hyundai Tucson: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Hyundai Tucson, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 370,342 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Tiguan

106Above average
MOT tests235,248

Hyundai Tucson

101About average
MOT tests135,094

By age

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

Age at testVolkswagen TiguanHyundai Tucson
3–5 years
103Above average
100About average
6–9 years
107Above average
102About average
10–14 years
107Above average
–
15+ years
109Well above average
94Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen TiguanHyundai Tucson
202189.1%87.7%
202089.0%84.3%
201988.1%85.0%
201886.4%83.6%
201786.4%80.5%
201684.2%79.4%
201578.3%75.5%
201063.3%59.2%
200963.4%57.1%
200862.0%55.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen TiguanHyundai Tucson
Brakes4.28.6
Tyres6.35.1
Suspension7.82.2
Lights & electrics4.03.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.14.5
Emissions & leaks1.91.7
Body & chassis1.00.8
Steering0.30.8

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%

Hyundai Tucson: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.8%
  6. Parking brake control - lever: has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment0.6%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Hyundai Tucson?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Hyundai Tucson, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2008–2021). The Volkswagen Tiguan had the higher pass rate in 10 of them and the Hyundai Tucson in 0.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Tiguan: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Hyundai Tucson: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.