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Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
Jan 2008 Class: 4x4s/SUVs
New price: £21,210 - £31,590 Used price: From £12,650
On sale:
Performance:
Ride comfort:
handling:
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
Boot & Storage:
Safety:
★★★★
★★★★★
Reliability:
★★
Total score:
79%
High-quality build, with good safety features. Spacious and comfortable, with sliding and reclining rear seats.
Smooth engines, and good level of refinement.
Boot is on the small side for a family car. Expensive, with many high-cost options. Reliability is proving troublesome. Recommended models
in the range
Which? Car Top Choice Model
2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr
New price: £26,645
Used price: -
Fastest Model
2.0 TSi R Line 5dr
New price: £29,400
Used price: -
7.8 secs
0-62mph:
Most Efficient Model
2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr [2WD]
New price: £24,880
Used price: Combined fuel economy:
53.3 mpg
Cheapest Model to buy new
1.4 TSi BlueMotion Tech S 5dr [2WD]
New price:
Overview
The recently facelifted Tiguan is a compact off-roader developed from the Golf. It’s
Volkswagen’s contender against the likes of the popular Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4 and Honda
CR-V, and indeed the Land Rover Freelander 2. Like most rivals, it’s offered in entry-level frontwheel-drive layout, or with four-wheel-drive for extra go-anywhere ability. The Tiguan isn’t as practical as Volkswagen’s seven-seat Touran MPV, obviously, but it is a
reasonably useful family vehicle, as well as being desirable and smart-looking. It’s easy to own,
with a spacious cabin yet manageable exterior dimensions. Originally launched in 2008, the Tiguan received a mid-life facelift in 2011. As well as an
update to the front end and rear lights, the new range has reduced CO2 emissions and a host
of new comfort and safety features.
Only two engines remain from the outgoing model – the 2.0 TDI 140bhp and 170bhp
versions - but with BlueMotion badging, both now offer better economy (45-48mpg claimed)
and lower emissions (139-158g/km). And for the first time you can now buy a 110bhp 2.0 TDI,
although only in entry-level S spec. To drive, the diesels seem a touch quieter than in the
outgoing Tiguan. The petrol engines have become a better proposition too: the 1.4 TSI has been upgraded
from 150 to 160bhp, and there’s also a new 1.8 TSI alongside the most potent 210bhp 2.0 TSI.
All petrols now come in below 199g/km of CO2.
The Tiguan faces the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 at the more workman-like end of
the compact SUV category. At the pricier end, it competes with Audi’s Q3 and BMW X1. But
perhaps the biggest threat comes from another VW Group model based on very similar
underpinnings – the cheaper Skoda Yeti.
£21,210
Cheapest Model to buy used
1.4 TSi S 5dr [2WD]
Used price:
£12,650
Cheapest Model to Run (new)
2.0 TDi BlueMotion Tech S 5dr [2WD]
New price: £22,885
Running costs: £16,092
(3 years/36,000 miles)
Owner’s View
The car is the perfect
size for us, not too big
and not too small. DSG
transmission is impressive
and engine provides lively
performance matched to
good road-holding and
remarkable fuel economy
(up to 53mpg).
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
On the road
How we test
We tested the facelifted 140bhp 2.0 TDI BlueMotion diesel model, which delivers smooth and
quiet power in what is quite a heavy vehicle. The engine copes reasonably well with this bulk,
but there’s a lack of really zippy torque when overtaking. If you need strong performance, the
170bhp version of this engine is a better bet. A 110bhp diesel is also offered (in base spec only),
but probably best avoided.
Also available are three TSI petrol engines: a 160bhp 1.4-litre, a 180bhp 2.0-litre, and a
turbo- and supercharged 2.0 TSI delivering 210bhp. If you really want petrol, go for one of the
higher-power models, as the 1.4 is a little underpowered. Most Tiguans are four-wheel drive but you can have front-drive if you opt for the 1.4 TSI
engine or the 2.0 TDI 140 (while the 2.0 TDI 110bhp S version can only be had as a two-wheel
drive). At the other end of the scale, Escape models feature a different bumper design that’s
more suited to serious off-roading.
Performance
We use the sophisticated electronic timing
equipment to record standing-start and
in-gear acceleration, and repeat each test
several times.
Ride comfort
★★★★
The Tiguan’s kerb weight of more than 1.7 metric tonnes is a tall order for the otherwise
agile 140bhp 2.0 litre diesel, and does temper sprightliness a little. It’s the same story with
the 160bhp 1.4 TSI engine - it’s not the liveliest engine in this setting, but its combination of a
supercharger and turbocharger keeps torque (pulling power) just about healthy enough. The precise-shifting six-speed manual gearbox has well-matched ratios. The first three
gears offer shorter ratios for nipping around town (or should that be up mountains?) and a
long-ratio sixth gear gives lower revs and better fuel consumption on the motorway. Only three engines are available with DSG semi-automatic transmission: the 2.0 TDI 140,
2.0 TSI 180 and 2.0 TSI 210. All other engines are manual-only. Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual
5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door
(2012)
Performance
Acceleration (37-62mph)
7.0 secs
6.9 secs
5.7 secs
5.7 secs
Ride comfort
Rating
★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
The stiff chassis readily absorbs bumps and uneven surfaces, and tames body roll during quick
cornering or long bumps, even under load. It’s quite firm enough in standard form - let alone in
the further-stiffened Sport models, which features a harder set-up. Post-facelift models can be specified with Volkswagen’s Adaptive Chassis Control (for a
hefty £750) which allows the drive to toggle between comfort, normal and sport suspension
settings. When used in comfort mode, this is quite effective in softening the Tiguan’s stiff ride
when fitted with larger alloy wheels.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
Ride comfort is assessed by our laboratory experts who have driven hundreds of
thousands of miles in a myriad of different
models.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
On the road continued...
How we test
Handling
★★★★
Handling
Again the heavy body comes into play with the Tiguan’s handling; it understeers a little, but
there’s no danger of tilting or skidding, thanks to the ESP stability control, which is fitted as
standard on all models. Consequently, it holds the road well and is controllable even when
cornering at high speeds. Four-wheel drive versions have better traction in slippery conditions. Responsive, precise steering conveys a good sense of road contact, and you don’t need
to apply much steering power for manoeuvring. Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
Brakes
★★★★★
Brakes
Filled to half-capacity, the Tiguan can brake from 62mph to a standstill in an impressively
short distance (between 35 and 36.5 metres depending on model), backed up by a stable,
responsive and controlled performance. ABS and brake assist are fitted to all models.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual
5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door
(2012)
On-the-limit handling is explored well
away from public roads to ensure a fair
test. Our obstacle avoidance test is one of
the harshest tests in the industry..
Braking distance (62-0mph)
36.4m
37.0m
36.0m
35.2m
Rating
★★★★
Refinement and noise
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★
Refinement and noise
Volkswagen’s workmanship ensures that all fixtures and fittings are snug and tight, and doors
close securely to the outside, so interior noise is low even at high speeds. The latest diesel
engines are a little quieter, too. Wind noise increases at high speeds but it’s never obtrusive.
Whilst cabin materials are robust and well-crafted, cabin quality isn’t quite up to the
standards set by VW’s Golf. The latest models have better protection against parking dents
than the original Tiguan. Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
The Which? Car braking test measures
stopping distance from 62-0mph and is
repeated ten times in quick succession to
highlight any brake fade issues.
Cruising noise
68dB
68dB
70dB
67dB
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★
★★★★
The Which? Car experts use a decibel
meter to record interior sound levels
at common UK motorway speeds, and
combine this with subjective assessments
to arrive at an overall score.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
On the road continued...
How we test
Cabin and controls
★★★★★
Cabin and controls
Anyone who has previously driven a Volkswagen will feel at home in the Tiguan’s cockpit,
with many controls following the brand’s standard format of functionality. Steering, pedals and
gear lever are well-positioned, and the wheel’s height and length can be adjusted. There’s
a standard on-board computer that gives current and average fuel consumption, and other
gauges are easy to read and well illuminated.
Electric windows on each of the four doors can be controlled with fingertip buttons, and
there’s an anti-pinch feature. There are spaces for small items round and about the cabin, with
door pockets able to hold 1.5-litre bottles. The glovebox is also a decent size.
A touch-screen navigation screen and 30GB hard drive to store maps and music can be
added as an (expensive) option..
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Visibility and parking
★★★★
Visibility and parking
Rating
The drooping front end makes the nose of the Tiguan difficult to judge. Traffic visibility is
generally OK, thanks to the high seating position and large, heated exterior mirrors, but the
wide C-pillars and non-retractable rear headrests obstruct your view to the rear.
An appealing (and not too expensive) option is Park Assist, which detects parking spaces
that the car can fit into and automatically parks the car at the push of a button. This option also
includes parking sensors. The Mirror pack is also worth considering - this includes an auto-dipping rear view mirror,
dusk sensor for lights and rain sensor for the wipers. A turning circle of 11.9 metres is average for this class of car.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
We penalise cars with difficult controls,
and we look for things like backlit light
switches and easy-to-use heating and
ventilation adjustments.
Turning circle
11.8m
11.7m
11.7m
11.8m
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
Visibility is a major issue for motorists
today, so each car gets a 360-degree
swivel view test to reproduce the driver’s
eye view and any obscured areas.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Comfort and practicality
How we test
Overall, the Tiguan is comfortable and fairly spacious, with good accessibility and wellmoulded seats. However, the boot is not big for the class - but at least it’s configurable in a
number of ways, and its boxy shape makes efficient use of the lacklustre capacity.
Getting in and out
★★★★
Entry and exit at the front are comfortable, with high and wide door openings and seats wellpositioned relative to the ground, although, as with most SUVs, the Tiguan’s doorsills are quite
high. Access to the rear poses no real difficulties, although the lower part of the door openings
is slightly restricted by the rear wheel wells.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Seat space and comfort
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
We take measurements all around the
driver and passenger’s door apertures
and note the height of the seat, door sills
and step down onto the car floor. The
best cars don’t require too much bending
or stretching to get in and out.
Seat space and comfort
★★★★
In the front, passengers up to 2.0m tall can be accommodated, with generous interior width.
In the back, there’s enough space for passengers up 1.9m tall (if the front seats are adjusted to
a 1.85m space for front occupants) and it feels comfortable despite the slightly narrower cabin
width.
The front seats are height- and tilt-adjustable, with well-moulded, high backrests offering
good back support, and firm padding giving lateral support during cornering. The driver
benefits from excellent leg and foot support, too. The rear seats are similarly well-padded and
supportive. There’s an option to add heated, electrically-adjustable front seats, although the
accompanying leather upholstery can leave you a bit sweaty in the summer.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Getting in and out
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
We assess seat comfort subjectively,
using our road testers’ expert knowledge
and experience from thousands of different cars. And we measure the head-, legand elbowroom on offer in every seat, to
see how well the car caters for people of
all shapes and sizes.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Comfort and practicality continued...
How we test
Boot and storage
★★★★
Boot and storage
The Tiguan’s boot capacity is no better than average at 380 litres with the seats up. However,
the rear seats easily split asymmetrically and both seat and bench elements slide backwards
and forwards, offering a choice between a larger boot or more leg-space in the back. With
the rear seats folded completely flat, you get 785 litres of cargo capacity. There’s also a
large stowage space for smaller items beneath the boot floor. The load height is rather high,
however.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual
5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door
(2012)
Boot space (seats up/down)
380 litres / 785 litres
290 litres / 695 litres
440 litres / 845 litres
440 litres / 845 litres
Heating and ventilation
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★
Heating and ventilation
★★★★
In the front, the heating responds rapidly, but it’s not quite so fast to heat up in the back. All
current models come with Climatic semi-automatic air conditioning, with dual-zone climate
control optional.
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Carmakers give official stats for boot
space, but our tests are more realistic. We
load the boot up with measuring blocks
only as far as the rear window line, so
that luggage is well secured and won’t
obscure rear visibility. We repeat the test
with the rear seats up, and folded down
(where possible).
Rating
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
Feel sorry for the tester who has to warm
each car up from a frosty -10 degrees in
our climate chamber. Starting with a cold
engine, we measure how long it takes to
warm up the front and rear of the cabin.
Diesel cars usually take longer. We also
check the effectiveness of air conditioning, where fitted.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Running costs and depreciation
How we test
Compared with mainstream rivals, the VW Tiguan is pretty expensive to buy. It has only
average fuel consumption in diesel form, and is disappointingly thirsty in petrol guise. However,
it should hold its value very well. Insurance is reasonable, and servicing is well-priced, largely
due to long intervals; the 2.0 TDI will be the cheapest engine to maintain. Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption
The latest 140bhp 2.0 TDI BlueMotion 4x4 version we tested averaged 43.4mpg, which is just
about satisfactory in this class (VW claims 48.7mpg). Front-wheel drive versions should be
more economical (53.3mpg is claimed for the 2.0 TDI diesel).
Petrol models are thirstier, returning a claimed 42.2mpg for the 1.4 TSI 2WD model and as
low as 32.8mpg for the 2.0 TSI DSG. We tested the latest 1.4 TSI with 4Motion four-wheel drive
and found that it averaged a very disappointing 34mpg (claimed 37.2).
Petrol (combined mpg, claimed)
28.5 mpg - 42.2 mpg
Diesel (combined mpg, claimed)
39.8 mpg - 53.3 mpg
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Urban (claimed/tested)
40.9 mpg/44.1 mpg
30.1 mpg/29.1 mpg
28.0 mpg/28.5 mpg
29.4 mpg/29.4 mpg
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Extra urban (claimed/tested)
55.4 mpg/50.4 mpg
47.9 mpg/46.3 mpg
42.2 mpg/45.6 mpg
43.5 mpg/38.7 mpg
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Motorway (measured)
35.3 mpg
38.7 mpg
33.6 mpg
29.7 mpg
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Combined (claimed/tested)
48.7 mpg/43.5 mpg
39.2 mpg/38.2 mpg
35.3 mpg/36.2 mpg
37.2 mpg/34.0 mpg
We test fuel economy under strict lab
conditions – using realistic test cycles – to
reveal the facts behind the figures. Our
figures rarely match manufacturer claims
as, unlike the official mpg test, we measure economy with both a hot and cold
engine, and on the motorway.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Running costs and depreciation continued...
How we test
Emissions
Emissions
The diesel particle filter system keeps pollutant emissions at a low level, although we
measured carbon dioxide emissions of 172g/km from the 2.0 TDI Bluemotion 140bhp 4WD
model we tested, higher than the official figure of 150g/km. The front-wheel drive 2.0
TDI emits a claimed 139g/km. All 2.0 TSI petrol versions, however, emit a high 199g/km. Petrol (CO2, claimed)
152g per km - 234g per km
Diesel (CO2, claimed)
139g per km - 186g per km
Model tested
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) BlueMotion manual 5-door (2011)
diesel 2.0TDI (140bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI (150bhp) manual 5-door (2008)
petrol 1.4 TSI 4x4 (160bhp) manual 5-door (2012)
Emissions (claimed/tested)
150g per km/172g per km
189g per km/202g per km
185g per km/189g per km
178g per km/225g per km
Safety and security
Here are the videos of the 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan Euro NCAP frontal, side and pole crash
tests.
Euro NCAP score
★★★★★
The Tiguan scored a maximum five stars in the Euro NCAP test. (Year tested: 2009)
Adult occupant
Child protection
Pedestrian protection
Safety assist
87%
79%
48%
71%
Which? safety rating
★★★★★
Active (crash avoidance)
Passive (crash safety)
Child
Pedestrian
70%
81%
81%
48%
Security
Five stars is the maximum score for prevention of theft of the vehicle; as for theft from the
Tiguan, it scores four stars. Theft of car: Theft from car:
★★★★★
★★★★
While testing fuel economy, we also
collect exhaust gases to enable us to
measure the amount of carbon dioxide
(CO2) emitted. We also check whether
particulate filters are effective at removing
sooty emissions from diesel engines.
Safety
We rate cars for safety using Euro NCAP
crash test scores (where available),
alongside our own comprehensive safety
checklist. Uniquely, we also feed in results
from our accident avoidance test – after
all, it’s far better to steer around a crash
than rely on the airbags...
Security
Security scores come from the security
experts at Thatcham, who break into
hundreds of cars each year. Most modern
cars are very difficult to drive away, but
are still too easy to steal from.
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Which? Car Survey results
About our survey
The Which? Car Survey is the UK’s biggest and best reliability and owner satisfaction survey.
In 2013, drivers told us about 57,182 cars, covering more than 450 million miles in the previous
12 months (that’s equivalent to driving 18,398 times around the world). This unique feedback
allows us to rate satisfaction and reliability for hundreds of new and used cars.
Note Star ratings below are from 1-5 (1 is very poor and 5 is very good). Percentages shown
under ‘Most common faults’ indicate the proportion of owners reporting each problem in the
past 12 months.
Brand
Sample size: 4,469 people
Volkswagen ratings
Overall owner satisfaction for this brand
Brand reliability
Dealer Servicing & repair
Sample size: 185 people
Ownership ratings
Overall owner satisfaction for this range
Driving enjoyment
Ease of driving
Comfort
Dash layout and controls
In-car technology
Styling
Build quality
Practicality
Value for money
Everyone who takes part in the Which?
Car survey tells us about their car and
the dealers who sell and service it. We
analyse this feedback across all cars to
give top-level satisfaction ratings for each
brand, including the brand’s reliability
record over the last eight years. All star
ratings are out of five.
Model ownership ratings
★★★
★★★
Dealer Sales Service
Model: Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
80%
Brand ratings
These show how owners score this car
in 12 different areas, from performance to
heating. Owners’ ratings are subjective –
so may differ from Which? Car test scores
– but they give a good idea of what the
car is like to live with. Where relevant, cars
are scored against other cars in the same
class (e.g. for space).
77%
★★★★
★★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★★
★★★
★★★
Owner’s View
The 4motion technology
seems to work well giving
a better mpg, but with the
back up of 4 wheel drive
when needed. The little
things that have been
thought about, back wiper
coming on when selecting
reverse if the front wipers
Owner’s View
My Tiguan is a joy to drive
and I feel safe in it. I like
sitting higher up and
getting a good view of
the road. NIght and bad
weather driving is no longer
stressful. The automatic
transmission responds
quickly with excellent
Which? Car review
Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-)
4x4s/SUVs
Which? Car Survey results continued...
About our survey
Reliability ratings
Reliability ratings
Overall Reliability
Petrol cars
Reliability
Breakdowns
Average annual repair cost
Diesel cars
Reliability
Breakdowns
Average annual repair cost
All cars
Reliability
Breakdowns
Average annual repair cost
★★
Up to 3 years old
3-8 years old
-
-
-
-
-
-
★★★
2%
£11
-
We split reliability into breakdowns (including failure to start), faults (where parts
need replacing) and problems (minor issues e.g. squeaks and loose trim). Where
the car has been on sale for some time,
and we have numerous survey responses
from owners, we also split scores by the
age of car and fuel type. Star ratings are
out of five – the more stars, the more reliable the car.
Most common faults
Breakdowns: Percentage of cars suffering a breakdown in last 12 months
Average annual repair cost: Average annual cost of repairs (not servicing), in past 12
months
Most common faults
Up to 3 years old
Other Minor
Auto transmission
Electronic braking
Fuel System
Springs
5%
4%
2%
2%
2%
3-8 years old
-
-
-
-
-
-
Failure rate: The proportion of owners reporting this problem in the last year
Want to know what’s most likely to go
wrong as the car gets older? These are
the five most common faults reported by
owners, grouped by age into new, recent
and older cars. A score of 40% means
four out of 10 owners reported problems
with that part of the car over the previous
12 months. Engine electrics and non-engine electrics (e.g. windows, stereo) cause
more headaches than mechanical parts in
most modern cars.