The MOT Files

Van reliability file

Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate & common failures

From 18,437 recorded MOT tests of the Volkswagen Transporter, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The Volkswagen Transporter passes 72.5% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 6 of 21 van models, against 65.7% for all vans. The most recorded failure is "A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened", in 18.6% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

72.5%adjusted · 73.9% raw · rank 6 of 2118,437 tests

6.9 points above the fleet average of 65.7%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Volkswagen Transporter tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

  1. 1.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened18.6%

    754 occurrences

  2. 2.A tyre seriously damaged10.7%

    435 occurrences

  3. 3.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm10.1%

    411 occurrences

  4. 4.Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction9.1%

    367 occurrences

  5. 5.A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage8.7%

    353 occurrences

  6. 6.A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc7.7%

    312 occurrences

  7. 7.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement7.4%

    299 occurrences

  8. 8.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.3%

    297 occurrences

  9. 9.A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc5.0%

    201 occurrences

  10. 10.Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen4.9%

    197 occurrences

  11. 11.A tyre cords visible or damaged4.7%

    191 occurrences

  12. 12.A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play4.1%

    168 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Volkswagen Transporter tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.2%

    3,347 tests

  2. 2.a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm11.4%

    2,093 tests

  3. 3.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured7.3%

    1,341 tests

  4. 4.A tyre seriously damaged5.9%

    1,094 tests

  5. 5.Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users5.4%

    994 tests

  6. 6.A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened3.9%

    718 tests

  7. 7.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn3.6%

    660 tests

  8. 8.A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage3.2%

    596 tests

How wear changes the picture

Transporter pass rate by age and registration year

3–5 yrsreg. 2020–202279%
6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201976%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201673%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201367%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier56%

What gets tested

The Transporter fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
100,470
Test classes
class 7: 18,437
Names grouped into this model (36)
  • TRANSPORTER S TDI
  • TRANSPORTER S TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER SE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER SE TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER SHUTTLE
  • TRANSPORTER T26 STARTLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T28 H-LINE TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T28 HIGHLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T28 TRENDLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T30 EDITION TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T30 H-LINE TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T30 H-LN TDI 4M SA
  • TRANSPORTER T30 HIGHLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T30 ST-LINE TDI SA
  • TRANSPORTER T30 STARTLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T30 TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T30 TDI BMT
  • TRANSPORTER T30 TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T30 TRENDLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T32
  • TRANSPORTER T32 140 TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T32 H-LINE TDI 4M
  • TRANSPORTER T32 H-LINE TDI S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T32 H-LN TDI 4M SA
  • TRANSPORTER T32 HIGHLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T32 SE TDI BMT S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T32 SPRT LN TDI SA
  • TRANSPORTER T32 ST-LINE TDI 4M
  • TRANSPORTER T32 ST-LINE TDI SA
  • TRANSPORTER T32 ST-LN TDI4M SA
  • TRANSPORTER T32 STARTLINE TDI
  • TRANSPORTER T32 TDI BMT S-A
  • TRANSPORTER T32 TR-LINE TDI 4M
  • TRANSPORTER T32 TR-LINE TDI SA
  • TRANSPORTER T32 TRENDLINE TDI

Compare within the range

Other Volkswagen vans

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a Volkswagen Transporter?
72.5% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the vans tested, ranking 6 of 21 van models, from 18,437 DVSA tests. The average across all vans is 65.7%.
What does a Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT on?
"A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened" is recorded in 18.6% of failed Volkswagen Transporter tests, followed by "A tyre seriously damaged" (10.7%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a Volkswagen Transporter usually have at its MOT?
100,470 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Van mileages run far higher than cars, and a working van at five years old can have covered what a car covers in fifteen.

Analysis built from DVSA data of