How much does a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER?

The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER has a 69% MOT pass rate based on 10,120 tests in 2026. This ranks 251 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER is most reliable?

The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 67%.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER?

The average mileage for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER is 163,637 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 10,120 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2461cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 13 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel2461cc29 years old10,120 tests164k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2461cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2461cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,395

Per month£200/mo

Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 29 years old, 69% of VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTERs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 10,120 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 163,637 miles.

Got a VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars251th of 320(top 78%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models1027th of 1,118(top 92%)

vs national average-13%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-6%(75% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

163,637

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER has 163,637 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 67%. The 1997 sits between the two at 69%.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	129	38,291 mi
2020	89%	1,311	43,632 mi
2019	88%	25,915	55,696 mi
2018	86%	37,535	66,926 mi
2017	85%	38,467	76,077 mi
2016	84%	37,805	87,209 mi
2015	82%	34,503	95,309 mi
2014	81%	30,466	105,350 mi
2013	82%	27,985	115,923 mi
2012	80%	24,759	125,395 mi
2011	79%	23,700	133,523 mi
2010	77%	21,463	140,851 mi
2009	76%	17,431	142,178 mi
2008	75%	25,818	153,577 mi
2007	75%	27,476	161,773 mi
2006	73%	23,355	167,933 mi
2005	72%	20,813	174,693 mi
2004	73%	19,211	180,024 mi
2003	71%	13,745	173,749 mi
2002	69%	12,401	177,596 mi
2001	70%	12,405	176,472 mi
2000	70%	9,140	176,792 mi
1999	70%	12,854	176,887 mi
1998	69%	12,811	173,402 mi
1997	69%	10,120	163,637 mi
1996	67%	8,643	173,387 mi
1995	69%	5,077	166,204 mi
1994	69%	3,632	147,650 mi
1993	69%	2,096	137,070 mi
1992	70%	2,260	140,629 mi
1991	74%	2,007	143,826 mi
1990	73%	3,481	131,256 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

+7%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

+6%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

+3%

FIAT DUCATO

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

71%

+2%

Check a Specific Volkswagen Transporter

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER is a large car with a 2461cc diesel engine. 10,120 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 163,637 miles at 29 years old, VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER Fuel Costs

The 2461cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 (£200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

At 29 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. With 10,120 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 164k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1997)	69%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2395
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345
FIAT DUCATO(1997)	71%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£345

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.