Volkswagen Transporter: what fails at MOT
340,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Transporter in 2024, counted. 28.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.2% of Volkswagen Transporter tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.7%, so the Transporter is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.4% of tests), lights and electrics (7.2% of tests) and brakes (5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,066 | 16.3% | 10.9% | 31,400 19,200 to 48,500 |
| 2020 | 21,120 | 14.9% | 11.5% | 41,400 27,000 to 62,000 |
| 2019 | 23,853 | 17.4% | 13.4% | 48,500 32,400 to 72,200 |
| 2018 | 22,704 | 18.7% | 15.6% | 58,000 39,600 to 82,600 |
| 2017 | 23,146 | 20.8% | 18.2% | 67,000 47,100 to 92,700 |
| 2016 | 22,406 | 22.3% | 21.3% | 77,800 54,600 to 106,800 |
| 2015 | 19,690 | 25.8% | 24.4% | 85,000 60,300 to 115,400 |
| 2014 | 18,386 | 28.7% | 27.7% | 97,100 70,100 to 128,200 |
| 2013 | 18,735 | 27.9% | 30.6% | 108,300 80,100 to 141,500 |
| 2012 | 17,456 | 29.5% | 33.4% | 117,000 87,800 to 151,400 |
| 2011 | 16,726 | 31.4% | 36.1% | 125,100 94,000 to 162,100 |
| 2010 | 15,259 | 34.5% | 38.6% | 133,400 101,600 to 171,300 |
| 2009 | 12,901 | 37.7% | 39.8% | 137,500 102,200 to 175,700 |
| 2008 | 18,661 | 40.3% | 41.5% | 147,800 112,300 to 186,300 |
| 2007 | 20,016 | 40.1% | 41.5% | 157,600 122,300 to 194,500 |
| 2006 | 16,566 | 42.7% | 42.4% | 162,300 127,400 to 201,500 |
| 2005 | 14,653 | 42.3% | 42.2% | 169,000 133,600 to 207,400 |
| 2004 | 13,712 | 41.6% | 42.3% | 176,300 141,500 to 213,100 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Transporter tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Transporter | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.4% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| Brakes | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.3% | 3.2% |
| Body and structure | 2.4% | 2.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.3% |
| Steering | 1.3% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.8%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Coil spring2.0%
- Washers2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.6%
- Driveshaft joint1.5%
- Side light1.5%
- Engine warning light1.4%
- Number plate light1.4%
- Tyre tread1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- Side light: not working1.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.1%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.9%
- Coil spring: corroded2.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Volkswagen Transporter's own MOT record
Looking at a Transporter? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.