Volkswagen Lt
VanFrom 13,264 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a headlamp or light source missing and inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led. The top issue, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, caused 918 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 918 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 902 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 868 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 642 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 630 |
| service brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 610 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 523 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 474 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 413 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 411 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.3% of Lt failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 35.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £138.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 63.1% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2005 | 65.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2004 | 62.5% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2003 | 65.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
16 earlier years
| 2002 | 65.7% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2001 | 58.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2000 | 61.9% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1999 | 62% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1998 | 64.5% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1997 | 67.7% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1996 | 63.5% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1995 | 59.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1994 | 57.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 1993 | 60.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 1992 | 78% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 1991 | 60.4% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1990 | 63.5% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1989 | 61.5% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1988 | 70% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1987 | 77.3% | service brake efficiency below minimum requirement, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all Lts tested had between 121,972 and 186,148 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 157,438 median miles, the Lt has 0.023 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volkswagen models
| Volkswagen Golf | 79.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 84.6% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Volkswagen Lt MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Lt has a 64% MOT pass rate based on 13,264 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Lt?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Lt is parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, which caused 918 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Lt at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Lt is 157,438 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 121,972 and 186,148 miles.
Buying a used Lt?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 64% pass rate and an average repair bill of £138 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Van insurance works differently to car insurance. Make sure you're comparing like-for-like quotes for your use case. Compare van insurance.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.