1998 · 26 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate and common faults

3,686 MOT tests in 2024. 55.0% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

85Well below average
Passed first time55.0%
Failed or needed repairs45.0%
Typical mileage at test175,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,686 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength8.4%
  2. Horn: not working4.7%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  4. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low3.4%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.3%
  7. Position lamp: not working3.1%
  8. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements3.1%
  9. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced3.0%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics38.6%
  2. Brakes30.7%
  3. Suspension21.5%
  4. Body & chassis20.4%
  5. Steering9.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.0%
  8. Tyres6.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.3%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)13.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter?

In 2024, 55.0% of 1998 Volkswagen Transporter cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,686 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; horn: not working; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Volkswagen Transporter reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 85, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).