VW Tiguan II 2.0 TDI, 240 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive (2016–2020)

Research for this car

• Generation guide VW Tiguan II (2016-2024): known problems and buying guide

  Check the DSG and coupling oil records first, then coolant leaks and cold judder on petrols. Avoid a diesel that only does short trips.

• Engine guide VW 2.0 TDI (EA288) diesel: problems, costs and what to check

  Coolant leaks, EGR and AdBlue faults are the main risks. Buy with a cold-start check, a coolant pressure test and a full scan.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Test drive the car on the wet DSG. Bad result: a gearbox warning, or the gearbox goes into emergency mode. A scanner can read the gearbox fault memory.
2. Ask for the DSG oil change invoices. Bad result: none. Intervals depend on the gearbox, see Maintenance.
3. Start from cold and pull away in traffic. Bad result: jerks or shudder at low speed, or harsh changes from first to second.
4. Look at the brake discs and ask for the last inspection (TÜV) report. Bad result: a deep lip on the disc edge, or brakes flagged at inspection.
5. Ask how the diesel was driven. Bad result: mostly short trips. Short trips let the particulate filter and the EGR valve clog.
6. On a 4MOTION car, ask for the coupling oil change record. Bad result: none, or the front wheels spin while the rear wheels do not pull.
7. Check the headlining and footwells for damp. Bad result: damp, stains or a musty smell, which points to the panoramic roof drains.

From the engine guide

1. Turbo (needs a scanner). Read boost faults and check the vanes. Bad: power loss, whistle or smoke.
2. DPF (needs a scanner). Read soot and ash loading. Bad: frequent regeneration or high oil level.
3. Intake manifold (pressure test). Pressure-test the cooling system. Bad: coolant loss with no puddle, worse under load.
4. EGR cooler (pressure test). Cap the cooler hoses and repeat the test. Bad: it holds only with the cooler bypassed.
5. AdBlue and NOx (needs a scanner). Read NOx sensor and dosing faults. Bad: an emissions warning, a restart countdown or crystallised AdBlue.
6. Water pump and heater. Start cold; heater must blow hot. Bad: weak heat, wandering gauge, dried coolant.
7. Oil pump drive (needs a scanner). Listen for a rattle at idle and check for oil-pressure codes. Bad: a red oil-pressure warning.
8. Belt and pump invoices. Ask for dated belt, pump and thermostat invoices. No record means budget for a belt job.
9. Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check. Bad: an open 23Z7 campaign on a T6.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions