Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate and common problems
74.6% of 502,831 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests pass.
At 74.6%, the Transporter passes slightly less often than the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
At 74.6%, the Volkswagen Transporter passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Transporter?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Transporter 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 drops sharply with age: the Volkswagen Transporter tested at 0–3 years pass 87.0% of the time, compared with just 63.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 87.0% | 19,825 | 35,906 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.8% | 82,065 | 53,738 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.3% | 117,815 | 84,911 miles |
| 10–15 years | 74.5% | 95,957 | 125,694 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.8% | 187,169 | 162,434 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Transporter
The most common reason the Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 53.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 53.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 48.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 40.0% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 18.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 17.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 9.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volkswagen Transporter: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Transporter’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 Transporter comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 74.5% to 63.8%. 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: 74.3% down to 65.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 53.7% of failed Volkswagen Transporter MOTs. 29.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.6% at 0–3 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. Suspension
Recorded in 48.4% of failed Volkswagen Transporter MOTs. 23.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 4.7% at 0–3 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 40.0% of failed Volkswagen Transporter MOTs. 22.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.6% at 0–3 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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 20.6% of failed Volkswagen Transporter MOTs. 14.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 0.6% at 0–3 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. Tyres
Recorded in 18.5% of failed Volkswagen Transporter MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
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 Golf — 80.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Polo — 74.5% pass rate
- Volkswagen Tiguan — 86.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Passat — 76.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caddy — 76.6% pass rate
- Volkswagen Up — 85.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter?
- 74.6% of Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests pass, based on 502,831 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Transporter?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 53.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Transporter?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Transporter are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 29.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.6% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Transporter?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. 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 Transporter'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.