Based on 13,012 MOT tests from 914 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER has the same fault.
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 523/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER that has had a registered MOT.
We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.
Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER.
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| Fuel Type | Year | Reliability Score | Avg Mileage | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | 786/999Very good | 86,617 miles | 5,238 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 752/999Very good | 86,155 miles | 10,937 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 730/999Very good | 86,351 miles | 16,368 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 679/999Good | 90,149 miles | 16,484 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 638/999Good | 90,977 miles | 15,207 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 531/999Above average | 88,914 miles | 10,357 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 492/999Average | 100,293 miles | 2,443 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 491/999Average | 100,518 miles | 675 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 486/999Average | 101,007 miles | 2,344 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 429/999Average | 124,734 miles | 727 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 409/999Average | 93,180 miles | 5,649 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 365/999Fair | 102,733 miles | 3,644 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 356/999Fair | 92,838 miles | 5,618 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 354/999Fair | 96,225 miles | 4,461 vehicles |
| N/A | N/A | 347/999Fair | 94,027 miles | 4,992 vehicles |
Based on 13,012 MOT tests from 914 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.
Vehicles
914
MOT tests
13,012
Pass rate
73.1%
Median mileage
118,156 mi
Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 596 out of 999.
These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.
VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,662 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.
What to inspect
Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 530 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.
What to inspect
Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 483 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.
What to inspect
Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 381 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.
What to inspect
Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 332 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.
What to inspect
Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 245 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.
What to inspect
Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REGISTRATION PLATE LAMP NOT WORKING (1.1.C.1D)
VehicleScore MOT data includes 185 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.
What to inspect
Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))
VehicleScore MOT data includes 143 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.
These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.
What to inspect
Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))
A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.
| Year | Vehicles | MOT tests | Pass rate | Recurring issues seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 | — | No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | — | No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 | — | No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample |
| 2023 | 20 | 20 | 90% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2022 | 19 | 38 | 76.3% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2021 | 38 | 137 | 82.5% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2020 | 30 | 125 | 87.2% | Tyre wear, Brake disc wear |
| 2019 | 45 | 267 | 83.5% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2018 | 57 | 396 | 81.6% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2017 | 53 | 407 | 85.3% | Tyre wear, Oil leak |
| 2016 | 59 | 547 | 83.2% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2015 | 54 | 598 | 77.4% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2014 | 33 | 393 | 79.6% | Tyre wear, Brake disc wear |
| 2013 | 30 | 414 | 80% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2012 | 42 | 618 | 77.2% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2011 | 40 | 641 | 75.7% | Tyre wear, Brake disc wear |
| 2010 | 22 | 370 | 80.3% | Tyre wear, Brake disc wear |
| 2009 | 35 | 680 | 69.9% | Tyre wear, Brake pad wear |
| 2008 | 29 | 563 | 72.5% | Tyre wear, Oil leak |
| 2007 | 34 | 769 | 69.3% | Tyre wear, Oil leak |
| 2006 | 38 | 890 | 72.5% | Tyre wear, Corrosion |
| 2005 | 25 | 627 | 71% | Tyre wear, Corrosion |
| 2004 | 23 | 627 | 64.4% | Tyre wear, Oil leak |
| 2003 | 20 | 526 | 68.3% | Tyre wear, Corrosion |
| 2002 | 7 | 203 | 70.9% | Oil leak, Steering rack issues |
| 2001 | 22 | 611 | 67.9% | Corrosion, Brake disc wear |
| 2000 | 12 | 328 | 66.8% | Corrosion, Oil leak |
| 1999 | 11 | 299 | 69.2% | Tyre wear, Corrosion |
| 1998 | 7 | 188 | 69.1% | Exhaust, Brake disc wear |
| 1997 | 14 | 377 | 68.2% | Tyre wear, Oil leak |
| 1996 | 6 | 160 | 66.9% | Corrosion, Oil leak |
| 1995 | 5 | 133 | 68.4% | Brake disc wear, Corrosion |
| 1994 | 10 | 245 | 65.3% | Corrosion, Tyre wear |
| 1993 | 6 | 168 | 64.9% | Steering rack issues, Tyre wear |
| 1989 | 5 | 127 | 66.1% | Corrosion, Oil leak |
This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.
Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTERs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.
VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.