Comparison · family SUVs

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Toyota RAV4 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 363,023 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Tiguan

106Above average
MOT tests235,248

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average
MOT tests127,775

By age

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

Age at testVolkswagen TiguanToyota RAV4
3–5 years
103Above average
106Above average
6–9 years
107Above average
107Above average
10–14 years
107Above average
115Well above average
15+ years
109Well above average
107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen TiguanToyota RAV4
202189.1%92.1%
202089.0%91.3%
201988.1%90.9%
201886.4%85.8%
201786.4%84.3%
201684.2%84.3%
201578.3%81.4%
201474.4%79.6%
201373.4%78.3%
201269.3%74.9%
201165.4%69.7%
201063.3%68.8%
200963.4%65.8%
200862.0%61.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen TiguanToyota RAV4
Suspension7.89.6
Lights & electrics4.011.0
Brakes4.28.5
Tyres6.34.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.14.4
Emissions & leaks1.93.8
Body & chassis1.03.3
Seat belts & airbags0.61.2

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%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 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 Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2008–2021). The Volkswagen Tiguan had the higher pass rate in 3 of them and the Toyota RAV4 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. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.