Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A
From 2,140 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Older Transporter Se Tdi S-As fare better: 2021 models pass at 84.2% vs 88.5% for 2020.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 44 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 | 44 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 30 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 16 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 16 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 12 |
| seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended | 11 |
| seat belt retractor not functioning as intended | 10 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 10 |
| seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 9 |
| a seat belt webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened | 8 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 27.7% of Transporter Se Tdi S-A failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 43.4% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £114.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
| 2020 | 88.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all Transporter Se Tdi S-As tested had between 20,697 and 42,541 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 31,273 median miles, the Transporter Se Tdi S-A has 0.041 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 Se Tdi S-A MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A has a 87.1% MOT pass rate based on 2,140 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 44 failures. Other common issues include a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Transporter Se Tdi S-A is 31,273 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 20,697 and 42,541 miles.
Buying a used Transporter Se Tdi S-A?
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.
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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.