Faults:

DPF filter failure @ 48,000 miles with the previous owner.

Both exhaust manifold flap motors failed @ 50,000 miles and at a cost of €1,100 + VAT + labour.

Bearing on the rear prop shaft failed @ 68,000 miles. VW wouldn't sell the bearing alone, only a new prop shaft @ €1,500 + VAT + labour.

Factory fitted detachable towbar was incredibly noisy when towing, and should have been replaced under warranty as it is a common fault on these. VW refused... so I never bothered as I rarely towed with it.

Four wheel drive system began giving trouble @ 85,000 miles... that's when I bailed out!

General Comments:

The Touareg was a vehicle I aspired to owning from the first time I saw one. I loved the looks, the comfort, the fantastic 3.0 V6 engine and its very high level of refinement.

However, it turned out to be the most disappointing vehicle I ever owned. It was incredibly unreliable. My one was spotless with a full VW service history, however I cannot remember a week of ownership where there was not something wrong. It was the only vehicle that ever left me on the side of the road.

It was also overly complex and had incredibly annoying quirks such as having to remove the bumper and headlight in order to replace a blown bulb (a 2 hour job; the manual recommends you take it to a main dealer to do this!). Replacing the battery required you to take out the passenger seat... the list goes on.

Overall it was laughably bad, but the poor level of service from VW was the low light for me. They had no problem asking for incredible sums to fix all of these problems.

I've met several Touareg owners since, and they all had bad experiences re reliability and running costs.

Faults:

Poor cold starting.

Cracked door wood inserts in cold weather.

Defective glass hatch release motor at 47000 miles.

Oil level light on every 3000 miles.

Uneven tyre wear (alignment issues)

Overzealous brake pad wear indicators (half worn, but warning light on)

Black plastic coating peeling form switchgear.

Handbrake on light & bongs, even though you've already released the brake.

Leaking boot struts (causing tailgate to collapse onto my head) - £800 repair suggested.

Broken bonnet cable at 65000 miles - £300 to fix!!! (the final straw)

General Comments:

The most comfortable car I've ever driven, with okay handling too, which is surprising given its weight.

Manual gearbox is to be avoided at all costs - I've driven lorries with smoother changes - very clunky.

Avoid a cloth interior too - this is real poverty spec and impossible to shift on secondhand.

A broken bonnet cable & leaking tailgate struts are the things than ultimately put me off this car, costing over £1100 to put right.

Dealer workshop labour rates are extortionate for VW "prestige" products, costing me £110/hour plus VAT!