Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Volkswagen Transporter passed 66.8% of its first MOT tests, from 276,006 tests in Great Britain. That is 4.6 points below the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
The area that failed most often was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 13.6% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 13.6% vs 11.3%
- Suspension 12.4% vs 8.9%
- Brakes 9.1% vs 6.8%
- Visibility 5.8% vs 4.8%
- Body, chassis, structure 5.6% vs 3.4%
- Tyres 5.5% vs 6.3%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 4.2% vs 3.1%
- Steering 3.1% vs 1.8%
- Headlamp aim 4.1% vs 3.3%
- Coil spring 3.4% vs 2.6%
- Tyres: condition 3.4% vs 3.7%
- Washers 3.4% vs 2.5%
- Position lamp 2.8% vs 2.8%
- Joints 2.5% vs 1.4%
- Pins and bushes 2.3% vs 1.4%
- Registration plate lamp(s) 2.2% vs 1.3%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 3.4% |
| Position lamp: Not working | 2.5% |
| Joints: Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.4% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 2.0% |
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 2.0% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.0% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): Inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 1.9% |
| Headlamp aim: Too low | 1.8% |
| Stop lamp: Not working | 1.8% |
| Pins and bushes: Pin or bush excessively worn | 1.7% |
Volkswagen Transporter pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 81.5% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 56.3% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 81.5% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 75.4% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 67.4% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 56.3% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 266,429 | 66.9% |
| Petrol | 9,444 | 63.6% |
Most common Volkswagen Transporter advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 15.5%
- Brake discs 10.7%
- Pins and bushes 8.3%
- Rigid brake pipes 7.7%
- Vehicle 7.5%
- Engine oil leaks 7.4%
- Brake pads 7.0%
- Tyres: condition 6.6%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Golf (72.8%)
- Volkswagen Polo (66.6%)
- Volkswagen Passat (70.2%)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (81.0%)
- Volkswagen Caddy (68.6%)
- Volkswagen UP (81.5%)
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2023, 66.8% of Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests were passed first time, from 276,006 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter?
The most common failure area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which caused 13.6% of tests to fail. Next came suspension (12.4%) and brakes (9.1%).
Is the Volkswagen Transporter reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 66.8% is 4.6 points below the average and ranks 71 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Volkswagen Transporter's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.