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What to check: Volkswagen Taigo

Ranked across all years of the Volkswagen Taigo, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

SeatbeltsTug each belt sharply to check the locking mechanism catches, then make sure every belt runs out freely and clicks home. A lazy retractor is an MOT failure and often a seats-out job to put right.Recorded on 0.9% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.0%

A binding brakeAfter the test drive, hold the back of your hand near each wheel hub. One wheel running much hotter than the rest is a sticking caliper. A car that slows itself down when you lift off on a flat road is saying the same thing.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.1%

Rubber boots and gaitersOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 0.7% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.2%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 19.4% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 16.6%

Pads and discsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 17.5% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 7.2%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 1.7% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 1.4%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

With the ignition on, unclip the driver's belt and see if the chime and dash warning light fire immediately.A late, weak or missing warning suggests the seatbelt reminder software fault covered by the 2020-2022 recall.

Check the car's recall status by registration before you view it.An open airbag or seatbelt-reminder recall means free work outstanding, but only if it's actually been done.

If it's a DSG automatic, pull away from a dead stop several times, including on a slight incline.Any shudder, hesitation or clunky first-gear engagement points to DQ200 clutch pack wear or judder.

Plug in your phone via CarPlay or Android Auto and leave it running for 10-15 minutes.Random disconnects, freezing or a screen that needs a restart is the known infotainment niggle, not a one-off.

Drive a mixed route past several speed limit signs and watch the dash display.Frequent wrong readings suggest the Travel Assist sign-reading issue some owners report.

Pull the full MOT history, not just the pass/fail line.Repeated seatbelt or airbag warning-light advisories echo the pattern behind the recall, even on cars that were never recalled themselves.

Ask for the service book and, on an automatic, check DSG fluid and filter changes are on record.Skipped DSG services make early clutch judder and adaptation problems more likely and voids the cheap fix option.

Full Volkswagen Taigo reliability report