Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi
From 436 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, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 9 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 | 9 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 8 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 7 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 7 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 6 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 5 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 3 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 3 |
| seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 30.9% of Transporter T26 Startline Tdi failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 30.9% 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 £112.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80.2% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2020 | 80.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
Typical mileage
Half of all Transporter T26 Startline Tdis tested had between 23,266 and 61,813 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 36,736 median miles, the Transporter T26 Startline Tdi has 0.054 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 T26 Startline Tdi MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi has a 80.3% MOT pass rate based on 436 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 9 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Transporter T26 Startline Tdi is 36,736 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 23,266 and 61,813 miles.
Buying a used Transporter T26 Startline 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.
With a 80.3% pass rate and an average repair bill of £112 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 30.9% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.