The picture
Tiguan Elegance Tsi S-A: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 954 MOT tests, the Tiguan Elegance Tsi S-A returns 92.6% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A seriously damaged tyre and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 24,780, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
15 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
13 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
12 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
- 04
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
8 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
A tyre cords visible or damaged
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution.
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 07
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
2 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 08
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
2 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 09
Wiper blade defective
2 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
2 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£200–£350
If every one of this Tiguan Elegance Tsi S A's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Tiguan Elegance Tsi S A?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Tiguan Elegance Tsi S A and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.