2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L Diesel · P5 HRT

The defining mechanical story of this 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan centres squarely on its front and rear suspension, with the recorded MOT history showing a clear progression of wear that culminated in a failure in April 2026. The most recent test on 23 April 2026 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, but this followed immediately after a failure the day before on 22 April 2026, where the vehicle was flagged with a fractured nearside rear coil spring alongside both front lower suspension arms exhibiting excessively worn rear bushes. This is not an isolated event, as the 2025 test already carried an advisory for the offside front lower arm rear bush showing wear, and the 2024 test documented rear brake wear and disc pitting. The rear coil spring fracture is a significant structural failure that would have resulted in immediate failure under MOT rules, while the bilateral front arm bush wear pattern suggests the rear bushes on both sides have reached the end of their service life simultaneously, a pattern consistent with original component ageing rather than an isolated impact event. Recorded mileage stands at 45,969 miles across a vehicle that is approximately five years old, equating to around 9,194 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a Tiguan of this age. There are no extended gaps between annual tests that would suggest the vehicle was laid up, and the progression of tests follows the standard DVSA annual cycle, indicating regular use on the road. Mechanically, this mileage accumulation is sufficient to wear through original suspension components, particularly the rear coil springs and polyurethane bushes in the front lower arms, which are known wear items on MQB-platform Volkswagens and tend to deteriorate progressively rather than catastrophically once they reach this age and mileage bracket. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on a physical inspection is to thoroughly evaluate the suspension work that has evidently been addressed to achieve the April 2026 pass. The test drive should be conducted over varied road surfaces, paying particular attention to any clonking, knocking, or vertical movement irregularities from the rear, as coil springs are replaced individually and the offside rear unit may be approaching the same fatigue threshold. Listen for any knocking or vague feedback through the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and check for uneven tyre wear across both front tyres, particularly inner-edge wear, which is a classic symptom of worn front lower arm rear bushes allowing the wheel to alter its geometry under load. Inspect the rear springs visually for any signs of partial replacement, such as mismatched paint or corrosion differences between the nearside and offside units, as this would indicate whether the fracture was a sudden event or the culmination of progressive weakening. The braking system also warrants close attention given the 2024 advisories for thin rear pads and pitted or scored rear discs. On the test drive, listen for any brake squeal or grinding from the rear, and feel for pedal judder or vibration through the pedal under firm braking, which would confirm the rear discs require refurbishment or replacement. Inspect the rear discs through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and any visible scoring or blueing from heat cycling. Beyond these flagged items, a general inspection of the front suspension components, including drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, and top mounts, is advisable given that the vehicle has now covered sufficient mileage for these ancillary items to be approaching their service intervals as well.