Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi
From 378 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 12 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 12 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 10 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 6 |
| seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended | 6 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 5 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 5 |
| seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 4 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 4 |
| headlamp levelling device inoperative | 3 |
| reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 46.6% of failures are serious: 39.7% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 6.9% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £80.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92.4% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, headlamp levelling device inoperative |
| 2020 | 82.9% | a tyre seriously damaged, seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended |
Typical mileage
Half of all Transporter S Tdis tested had between 20,787 and 50,213 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 30,379 median miles, the Transporter S Tdi has 0.045 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 Transporter S Tdi MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi has a 86.2% MOT pass rate based on 378 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 12 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Transporter S Tdi is 30,379 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 20,787 and 50,213 miles.
Buying a used Transporter S Tdi?
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.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.