2003 Volkswagen Touareg review from UK and Ireland

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)

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!