Used Volkswagen Touareg 2018-present reliability
Category: Luxury SUV
Disappointing interior quality aside, the Volkswagen Touareg is a very capable used luxury SUV. However, there are more practical rivals with seven seats, such as the Audi Q7
What should I look for in a used Volkswagen Touareg 4x4?
The Touareg is a sizeable SUV with big alloy wheels as standard on every version, so make sure you check each one for kerb damage, because repairs can be expensive. Also, if the wheels are showing particularly violent damage, this could be point towards the suspension having taken a knock and becoming misaligned, which could led to uneven tyre wear. All tyres will need to be the same brand and type, too, or there's a risk of damage to the Touareg's four-wheel drive system.
Make sure there are no deep scratches on the infotainment touchscreen, because that will require an expensive replacement. Also, make sure you clean the screen as per the instructions in the owner’s manual; it won’t be covered under warranty in the event of failure if you use the wrong stuff.
What are the most common problems with a used Volkswagen Touareg 4x4?
Gearbox oil leak
Oil may escape from a faulty join in the gearbox oil line of Touaregs manufactured from 1 September to 31 December 2019. Speak to a Volkswagen dealer to find out if your car is affected, because the line will need to be replaced to remedy the problem.
Shock absorbers
An issue has been found with the front shock absorbers fitted to some examples built between 2 and 13 December 2019. New shock absorbers will need to be fitted by a technician at a Volkswagen dealer to sort the problem.
Seatbelt buckle
A problem with the right rear seatbelt buckle could compromise the safety of Touaregs made between 8 August and 5 October 2018. Any example affected by this will need to have the buckle replaced at a Volkswagen dealer.
Loose steering connection
A connection within the steering system could work loose over time on a small number of cars built between 27 April 2018 and 22 January 2019. Find out from your local Volkswagen dealer if your example is affected by this because the connection will need to be replaced to prevent future issues.
Is a used Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 reliable?
This Touareg didn’t appear in our latest Reliability Survey, because it's still too new. However, Volkswagen as a brand didn’t do particularly well, managing only 20th place out of 31 manufacturers.
