Any problems with the early Volkswagen Touareg?

Hi, I want to buy a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg with 95000 miles on the clock. Are there any problems with these 4x4s?

Regards

Noreen Sheehy (Limerick)

Aug 2013 Filed under: reliability

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Expert answer

Hi Noreen,

By and large, the Touareg is built to impressively high standards and you only need to look at the fact that the Porsche Cayenne uses the same basic mechanical package to realise that it's going to be of high quality. 

That said, there were some glitches with the early-build cars, and while a 2005 model should be over these wobbles, you need to make sure that all the various complex electronic systems are working properly. Watch for things like electric seat adjusters failing and be wary of glitchy infotainment systems.

Mechanically, the electronic control of the turbocharger can go awry leading to an inconsistent loss of power and get a mechanic (or the AA) to check the propshafts for potential wear and failure. 

Just as an aside though, enjoy it if you buy it. That generation of Touareg has one of the nicest cabins of any car of the past decade. A cracking car, and actually superior to its replacement, I reckon. 

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe