Volkswagen Transporter common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Volkswagen Transporter at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 288,980 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Transporter in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is anti-lock braking system (warning lamp indicates an ABS fault): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 36× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (9.3×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.8×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (7×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Volkswagen Transporter
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Volkswagen Transporter than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.6% | 0.1% | 36× | 3,081 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.7% | 0.4% | 9.3× | 3,082 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.9% | 0.4% | 9.8× | 562 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.2% | 0.6% | 7× | 3,082 |
| Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.4% | 0.9% | 4.9× | 4,794 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.2% | 0.8% | 4× | 9,853 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 3.4% | 0.8% | 4.3× | 4,111 |
| Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.2% | 0.7% | 4.6× | 724 |
Volkswagen Transporter by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 7,127 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (7.1%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 17,861 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (11%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 13,277 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7,002 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (3.3%, 3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,602 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (3.2%, 4×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,735 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (4%, 4.4×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 769 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (4.7%, 5.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 348 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.6%, 4.8×) |
Volkswagen Transporter by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1,179 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.7×) |
| 1991 | 867 | Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 1992 | 1,139 | Integral vehicle structure condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.9×) |
| 1993 | 1,092 | Rear fog lamp: not working at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3×) |
| 1994 | 1,899 | Horn: not working at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.4×) |
| 1995 | 2,178 | Horn: not working at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4×) |
| 1996 | 2,625 | Horn: not working at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.6×) |
| 1997 | 3,137 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3×) |
| 1998 | 3,913 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.7×) |
| 1999 | 4,253 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.8×) |
| 2000 | 4,853 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.1×) |
| 2001 | 6,648 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.5×) |
| 2002 | 6,559 | Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.6×) |
| 2003 | 7,094 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.6×) |
| 2004 | 9,281 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.2×) |
| 2005 | 10,169 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.1×) |
| 2006 | 11,475 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2×) |
| 2007 | 13,498 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (1.7×) |
| 2008 | 12,701 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (1.8×) |
| 2009 | 9,146 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.9×) |
| 2010 | 10,793 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (16×) |
| 2011 | 12,049 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2012 | 12,396 | Coil spring: corroded at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (1.5×) |
| 2013 | 14,347 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.6×) |
| 2014 | 15,877 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (36×) |
| 2015 | 17,869 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (32×) |
| 2016 | 19,750 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.6×) |
| 2017 | 19,654 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2018 | 19,501 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.4×) |
| 2019 | 18,511 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.9×) |
| 2020 | 13,971 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6×) |
| 2021 | 506 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (9.8×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Transporter?
In 288,980 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Transporter in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is anti-lock braking system (warning lamp indicates an ABS fault): recorded on 3.6% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 36× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (9.3×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.8×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (7×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Volkswagen Transporters fail the MOT?
Across 288,980 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Volkswagen Transporter were coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.1% of tests); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (8.9% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6% of tests).
At what mileage do Volkswagen Transporter problems start?
The clearest Volkswagen Transporter-specific issue, anti-lock braking system (warning lamp indicates an ABS fault), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2013–2015 cars (3.6% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Volkswagen Transporter data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 288,980 tests of the Volkswagen Transporter. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.