Volkswagen Transporter Reliability and Common Problems
What the Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 548,814 MOT tests across 32 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: large car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
78%
Volkswagen Transporter pass rate
85%
Volkswagen average
82%
All-model average
The Volkswagen Transporter has an average MOT pass rate of 78%, which is 7 points below the Volkswagen average and 4 points below the average across all models in our data. Newer Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 11 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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What the Volkswagen Transporter Fails Its MOT On
Of the 92,378 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Transporter that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
40%Cars and vans the same age: 42% · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
39%Cars and vans the same age: 35% · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
28%Cars and vans the same age: 25% · Typical repair £80-£450
Body, chassis and structure
18%Cars and vans the same age: 16% · Typical repair £200-£1200
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
17%Cars and vans the same age: 16% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Coil spring: fractured or broken (9.9% of failed tests, suspension)
- Drive shaft CV boot split or insecure (8.4% of failed tests, body, chassis and structure)
- Position lamp: not working (7.4% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Volkswagen Transporter Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 2.0L | 89% | 9% |
| 2020 | Diesel | 2.0L | 89% | 11% |
| 2019 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 11% |
| 2018 | Diesel | 2.0L | 86% | 13% |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 14% |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.0L | 84% | 15% |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.0L | 82% | 17% |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 81% | 18% |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.0L | 82% | 18% |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.0L | 80% | 19% |
| 2011 | Diesel | 2.0L | 79% | 21% |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.0L | 77% | 22% |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.5L | 76% | 24% |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.5L | 75% | 25% |
| 2007 | Diesel | 2.4L | 75% | 25% |
| 2006 | Diesel | 2.5L | 73% | 27% |
| 2005 | Diesel | 2.5L | 72% | 27% |
| 2004 | Diesel | 2.5L | 73% | 26% |
| 2003 | Diesel | 2.5L | 71% | 29% |
| 2002 | Diesel | 2.5L | 69% | 30% |
| 2001 | Diesel | 2.5L | 70% | 29% |
| 2000 | Diesel | 2.5L | 70% | 29% |
| 1999 | Diesel | 2.5L | 70% | 29% |
| 1998 | Diesel | 2.5L | 69% | 30% |
| 1997 | Diesel | 2.5L | 69% | 30% |
| 1996 | Petrol | 2.5L | 67% | 31% |
| 1995 | Diesel | 2.4L | 69% | 30% |
| 1994 | Petrol | 2.5L | 69% | 29% |
| 1993 | Diesel | 2.4L | 69% | 30% |
| 1992 | Diesel | 2.4L | 70% | 28% |
| 1991 | Diesel | 1.6L | 74% | 26% |
| 1990 | Diesel | 1.6L | 73% | 25% |
Highest Pass Rate
2020
89% pass rate from 1,311 tests
Level with 2021
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Volkswagen Transporter FAQ
What are the most common Volkswagen Transporter problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Volkswagen Transporter that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (40% of the 92,378 failed tests), suspension (39%) and brakes (28%). The single most common fault was "Coil spring: fractured or broken" (9.9%). Across 548,814 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 78% ended in a pass.
Is the Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
The Volkswagen Transporter has an average MOT pass rate of 78%, from 548,814 MOT tests. That is 4 points below the average across all models in our data (82%), so budget for potential repairs. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Volkswagen Transporter is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter has the highest MOT pass rate: 89% of its 1,311 tests ended in a pass. The 2021 is level on 89%. The 1996 has the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Volkswagen Transporter faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Volkswagen Transporter typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Volkswagen Models
Common problems pages for other Volkswagen models