2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Elegance TSI Phev S-A 1.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · KT55 ANE

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan Elegance TSI PHEV presents a minimal MOT footprint at this stage, with a single test recorded on 24 July 2026 which resulted in a clean pass and no advisories or defects entered against the vehicle. With only one year of testing data available, the trend cannot be described as established; rather, it represents the earliest possible snapshot of a vehicle that has only just entered the MOT-testing window. The absence of recorded defects at this stage provides no evidence about long-term durability, and any prospective buyer should recognise that this single pass represents the baseline against which future tests will be measured. Components common to this generation of Tiguan, including rear coil springs, underbody panels, and DSG-related emissions items, have not yet been examined in any meaningful way within the testing record. Against a UK average of roughly 8,000 to 10,000 miles annually, the recorded 37,768 miles over the vehicle's three-year life equates to approximately 12,589 miles per year, which sits noticeably above the typical accumulation rate for a PHEV passenger vehicle of this age. PHEV usage patterns are often bimodal, with extensive short electric-only running supplemented by longer petrol-driven journeys, and the higher-than-average annual mileage suggests this particular example has seen a substantial proportion of combustion-engine operation rather than predominantly urban electric commuting. Mechanically, this elevated mileage will accelerate wear on items such as front brake discs and pads, rear brake components, suspension bushes and linkages, and the 1.4-litre petrol engine's service items including spark plugs, oil consumption monitoring, and the timing chain area. The DSG automatic gearbox also accumulates wear proportional to mileage and driving style, particularly in stop-start urban traffic. Because the MOT record contains no advisories, there are no specific components flagged for the buyer to investigate further from the testing data alone. Nevertheless, a thorough physical inspection and test drive should focus on the items most likely to be approaching wear at this mileage and age. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly indicative of anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or lower control arm wear which is a recurring concern across MQB-platform vehicles. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for judder under firm application, which would suggest front disc warping, and the steering should be checked for any vagueness, knocking on full lock, or uneven self-centring that could point to tie rod or column wear. The plug-in hybrid powertrain demands particular attention beyond the standard MOT items, as the test does not cover hybrid battery health, charging system function, or the integrity of high-voltage cabling. Buyers should verify that the vehicle charges correctly on both AC supply and any rapid charger if equipped, and confirm that the transition between electric and petrol propulsion is smooth without warning lights on the dashboard. The brake pedal feel on PHEV vehicles can also be unusual due to regenerative braking blending, so it is worth testing in both EV mode and hybrid mode to ensure consistent response. Finally, the elevated mileage relative to age warrants closer scrutiny of tyre condition and wear pattern, as uneven or rapid rear tyre wear can indicate misalignment or suspension geometry issues that would not yet be severe enough to fail an MOT but could develop into future advisories on components such as tracking, bushes, or coil springs.