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Volkswagen Transporter Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Volkswagen Transporter (2003–present).

MOT Pass Rate

73.8%8.2% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Average — based on approx. 35,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

2.40%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

17.2%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

16.5%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

18.0%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

15.2%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

12.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

10.5%

Where Faults Occur

29.0%

Front

31.0%

Rear

23.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

38,000 mi

At 5 years

65,000 mi

At 10 years

130,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Volkswagen Transporter a Good Buy?

The Volkswagen Transporter shows average reliability in MOT data. With a 73.8% pass rate, it sits 8.2% below the national average of 82%.

Budget for potential repairs in lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension. An independent pre-purchase inspection is recommended, especially for older examples. Always check the full MOT history for recurring issues.

Volkswagen Transporter MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Volkswagen Transporter.

View Volkswagen Transporter MOT Data

Check a Specific Volkswagen Transporter

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Volkswagen Transporter.

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Other Volkswagen Models

Volkswagen Golf

80.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Polo

79.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Passat

78.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Tiguan

83.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen Up

82.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Volkswagen T-Roc

86.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Volkswagen models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Volkswagen Transporter?
The top MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 16.5% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Transporter has an estimated MOT pass rate of 73.8%, which is 8.2% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Volkswagen Transporter as "Average" for MOT reliability.
Is the Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Volkswagen Transporter has a average reliability record with a 73.8% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 2.40% and a retest rate of 17.2%.
How much does it cost to fix common Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Volkswagen Transporter have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Volkswagen Transporter covers approximately 38,000 mi by 3 years, 65,000 mi by 5 years, and 130,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Volkswagen Transporter?
The Volkswagen Transporter requires careful inspection based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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