2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Volkswagen Touareg MOT pass rate and common faults

157 MOT tests in 2024. 68.2% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

119Well above average
Passed first time68.2%
Failed or needed repairs31.9%
Typical mileage at test128,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 157 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively5.1%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  3. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.2%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  6. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
    4 marked dangerous
  8. Position lamp: not working1.9%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low1.9%
  10. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics24.8%
  2. Suspension14.0%
  3. Brakes10.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.6%
  5. Seat belts & airbags9.6%
  6. Body & chassis5.1%
  7. Tyres4.5%
  8. Emissions & leaks4.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.7%
  2. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.9%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.6%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2003 Volkswagen Touareg cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 20)65.1%215 tests
2024 pass rate (age 21)68.2%157 tests
Change in one year+3.0 pointsaverage car: +0.6 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2003 Volkswagen Touareg is ageing better than an average car, which is a good sign for keeping one longer.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Touareg years2004 Touareg →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Volkswagen Touareg?

In 2024, 68.2% of 2003 Volkswagen Touareg cars passed their MOT first time, across 157 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volkswagen Touareg?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Touareg reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 119, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Touareg getting worse with age?

In 2023, 65.1% passed first time. In 2024, 68.2% passed (+3.0 points). An average car that age changed by +0.6 points, so the 2003 Volkswagen Touareg is ageing better than average.