VW Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan sourcing in Serbia: inspecting a 2018 Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4Motion

Another example of our comprehensive car-sourcing service in Serbia: a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan with a 2.0 TDI diesel engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission with wet clutches. The car had covered approximately 180,000 km at the time of inspection.

When buying a used Volkswagen Tiguan in Serbia, a basic visual inspection and a short test drive are not enough. This is particularly true of a diesel Tiguan with all-wheel drive and DSG. Before making a decision, we therefore carried out a comprehensive inspection covering its history, bodywork, electronics, mechanical condition and underbody.

Checking the Volkswagen Tiguan's history before purchase

The first step in the sourcing process was to check the car's history. We ordered a CarVertical report and separately obtained Volkswagen service and dealer records.

These checks allow us to compare the advertised mileage against available records, review the car's maintenance and learn more about its use before it went up for sale.

For a car with around 180,000 km on the clock, service history is particularly important. A tidy exterior tells you nothing about how well the engine, DSG transmission and all-wheel-drive system have been maintained.

Checking the bodywork with a paint thickness gauge

Next came a detailed bodywork inspection. We checked every body panel on the Volkswagen Tiguan with a professional paint thickness gauge.

The inspection revealed no signs of repainting. The car retained its factory paintwork. We also checked panel gaps, fasteners, door and other body openings, and other potential signs of body repairs.

A paint thickness gauge is essential when inspecting a used car. Even if a vehicle looks excellent, taking measurements can reveal panels that have been repainted or repaired.

Volkswagen Tiguan diagnostic scan

A full diagnostic scan is a standard part of our car-sourcing service in Serbia.

On this Volkswagen Tiguan, we checked the electronic control units for active and stored fault codes, along with the operation of the engine, DSG transmission, all-wheel-drive system and other electronic systems.

It is not enough simply to check whether any warning lights are showing on the dashboard. A modern car may display no warnings to the driver while its control units hold fault codes or data that warrant further investigation.

We also assess live operating data during diagnostics. Combined with the service history and test drive, this provides a much clearer picture of the car's actual mechanical condition.

2.0 TDI engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive and seven-speed DSG

The Volkswagen Tiguan we inspected had a 2.0 TDI diesel engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG transmission with wet clutches. This engine, drivetrain and transmission combination was indeed available on this generation of Tiguan.

When sourcing a car like this, it is important to pay close attention not only to the engine but also to the transmission and all-wheel-drive system. We assess how the DSG behaves when pulling away, shifting up and down, manoeuvring and driving under load as part of a thorough test drive.

A mileage of 180,000 km is not, in itself, a reason to rule a car out. Its actual condition, documented maintenance and the results of a comprehensive inspection matter much more.

Inspecting the car from underneath

We also inspected the Volkswagen Tiguan from underneath, checking the underbody, suspension components, connections, protective covers and mechanical assemblies for leaks or physical damage.

The inspection revealed no major concerns with the underside of the car.

An underbody inspection is an especially important part of the sourcing process. Some expensive problems simply cannot be properly identified during a basic inspection in the seller's car park.

Volkswagen Tiguan inspection results

Our comprehensive inspection found the car to be in good condition. The bodywork had no repainted panels, and we cross-checked its history using CarVertical, service records and dealer data. We carried out a diagnostic scan and checked the operation of the engine, seven-speed DSG and 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The underbody inspection revealed no significant concerns either.

If you are planning to buy a Tiguan with this kind of mileage, have it checked before handing over any money to the seller. That means inspecting the bodywork, reviewing the service history, checking the electronics and assessing the DSG and all-wheel-drive system on a test drive.