Used Volkswagen Touran

What to know before buying: Volkswagen Touran

From 3 forum threads and 2 press tests · updated 22/09/2026

What the reviews say

• Owners of 2002–2010 Tourans praise their space, economy, handling and manoeuvrability; the overall impression is of a practical family car.[4]one source
• In the seven-seat 2006 1.9 TDI, the seats fold or can be removed and the driving position is comfortable with good visibility, but the rear seats, especially the third row, are uncomfortable.[3]one source
• The third row in the 2002–2010 model is a compromise: an expert recommends a Sharan if it is genuinely needed, while an owner says luggage space becomes very small with all seven seats raised.[4][5]
• An owner of a 2006 1.9 TDI with DSG reported only routine servicing over a year and nearly 50,000 km; he praised economy, lights and smooth shifts but noted weak acceleration above 100 km/h.[3]one source

Typical faults

• Some 2004 cars had defective diesel-fuel-pump mountings that could cause a leak; the source says the issue should have been resolved by warranty repair.[5]one source

  2004–2004 · diesel

• Flywheel failures are reported for 2002–2010 Tourans; owners identify the dual-mass flywheel and clutch as diesel weak points, and one 2.0 TDI owner replaced the flywheel damper at 240,000 km.[4][5]

  2002–2010 · TDI

• Owners of the 2002–2010 model report electrical faults involving the power steering, heating, fuel heater, dashboard display and radio.[3][4]

  2002–2010

• Owners of 2002–2010 Tourans identify front control-arm bushes, anti-roll-bar links and upper strut bearings as suspension weak points.[4]one source

  2002–2010

• A forum contributor identifies the 2.0 TDI cylinder head as a weak point and says its torque can overload the clutch in manual versions.[2]one source

  2.0 TDI

Which engine and version to take

• Forum users favour the 1.9 TDI with a manual gearbox as the less temperamental choice; one 105 hp work car needed only two new glow plugs by roughly 195,000 km.[2]one source
• Another forum describes the 1.9 TDI as a good, time-proven engine, while warning that used examples may have very high mileage.[1]one source

What to avoid

• A forum contributor advises avoiding pre-2009 2.0 and 1.6 diesels and recommends choosing these engines only after 2009.[1]one source
• Forum contributors describe DSG as temperamental and expensive to repair, with particular risk if the previous owner drove aggressively.[1][2]

What to check at the inspection

• Before buying, check the history, mileage and mechanical condition, then take the preferred car for a full inspection at an independent workshop or dealer.[1]one source
• On a DSG car, test the shifts and establish its repair and servicing history: forum contributors report failures and potentially expensive repairs.[1][2]
• On a diesel, inspect the clutch and dual-mass flywheel because owners identify them as weak points and report flywheel-damper replacement.[4][5]
• Check the front control-arm bushes, anti-roll-bar links and upper strut bearings, which owners describe as suspension weak points.[4]one source
• Inspect the body finish because owners of the 2002–2010 model say it is not sufficiently durable, and test all electrical equipment in the cabin.[4][5]
• On a 2004 diesel, confirm that the fuel-pump mounting defect was rectified and check for fuel leakage.[5]one source

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]iauto.lv — Taurans problēmas - Forums · forum
2. [2]iauto.lv — VW TOURAN dīzeļi - Forums · forum
3. [3]iauto.lv — Volkswagen Touran 2006.gads - Lasītāja pieredze · forum
4. [4]whatcar.lv — Volkswagen Touran minivens (02-10) Atsauksmes par auto · press
5. [5]whatcar.lv — Volkswagen Touran minivens (02-10) - What Car? - WhatCar.lv · press

Spotted an error? Tell us