VW Tiguan II 2.0 TSI, 220 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 TSI (EA888 gen 3 and 4) petrol: problems, costs and what to check

  A strong engine with known weak spots, so check the water pump, turbo and oil leaks before you buy.

• Gearbox guide VW DQ381 7-speed wet DSG (0GC): problems, costs and what to check

  Wet DSG with weak mechatronic pressure sensors, so buy only with a scan, a hot test drive and oil service records.

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. 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.
6. With the engine off, check the coolant level and look under the engine for leaks. Bad result: low coolant, or a leak near the pump.
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. Coolant and water pump (scanner). Check the coolant level when cold. Look for a puddle under the front centre of the car. Read the stored faults for P00B7 (low coolant flow). Ask for an invoice showing the pump and housing were replaced as one assembly. Bad: low coolant, P00B7, or overheating. A missed leak can wreck the engine: 4,000-15,000 GBP for major damage (UK, 2025).
2. Turbo and wastegate (test drive, scanner). Check that boost builds smoothly with no hesitation and no warning light. Ask for turbo or actuator invoices. Bad: boost loss, a warning light, or a turbo replaced with no paperwork.
3. Oil in the intake (scanner). Ask whether the car was driven hard or on track. Check for a rough idle, a check-engine light, and oil in the intake. Bad: any of these, or a track history with no service record.
4. Oil leaks at the back of the engine (no scanner). Look under the engine and where it meets the gearbox. Bad: oil at the rear seal. The fix needs the gearbox separated from the engine, so the job is large.

From the gearbox guide

1. Clutch test drive. From about 1,200 rpm, accelerate uphill and in traffic. Judder, slip or a rise in engine speed without acceleration means a clutch pack, the largest bill.
2. Mechatronic scan (needs a scanner). Read P1735, P1736, P0805 and P0607. With the engine off and P selected, both pressures should be 0.00 bar; a drift of 0.20 bar means a failing sensor.
3. Auxiliary pump campaign. Give the VIN to a dealer and ask if 34K1 or 34L4 is open or done. A car with code P0C2900 and no campaign record is a risk.
4. Oil service records. Old oil wears the mechatronic. Look for changes at 60,000 to 120,000 km and fluid G 055 529 A2. No record is a reason to walk.
5. Gear selector (needs a scanner). A "selector lever. You can drive on." message or codes P176A to P176D point to the selector. Check that the repair was done.
6. Oil leaks. Look at the mechatronic cover, vent and gearbox joints. Fresh oil means a reseal or a mechatronic job.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions