Volkswagen LT MOT pass rate and common problems
61.9% of 4,882 Volkswagen LT MOT tests pass.
The LT passes 61.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
The Volkswagen LT passes 61.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen LT?
This is the average across every Volkswagen LT in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 80.2% at 10–15 years to 61.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 80.2% | 91 | 139,693 miles |
| 15+ years | 61.6% | 4,790 | 142,042 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen LT
The most common reason the Volkswagen LT fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 114.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 114.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 99.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 50.5% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 35.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 19.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 11.8% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 10.1% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.1% | Emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.5% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volkswagen LT: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen LT’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen LT comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 80.2% to 61.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 67.7% down to 59.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 114.7% of failed Volkswagen LT MOTs. 52.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 10–15 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 99.2% of failed Volkswagen LT MOTs. 45.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 4.4% at 10–15 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 50.5% of failed Volkswagen LT MOTs. 23.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 2.2% at 10–15 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 35.2% of failed Volkswagen LT MOTs. 16.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 2.2% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.3% of failed Volkswagen LT MOTs. 8.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.1% at 10–15 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Bora — 68.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen ID4 — 91.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen Golf R — 93.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Corrado — 79.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Roc R — 95.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen Camper — 67.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen LT?
- 61.9% of Volkswagen LT MOT tests pass, based on 4,882 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen LT?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen LT fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 114.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen LT?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen LT are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 52.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 8.8% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen LT?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen LT's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.