Volkswagen Transporter reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Volkswagen Transporter is a van. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 106 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 8 of 42, and 30.1% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (3.2% of tests).
Ranked 8 of 42 vans and pickups in the 2024 MOT Reliability League
In 2024, 259,029 Volkswagen Transporters aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 30.1% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Volkswagen Transporter is 6% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At the first MOT, at three years old, 17.4% failed (UK 12.7%).
First-time fail rate
30.1%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
17.4%
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
10,800
Typical age at test: 9 years
Volkswagen Transporter MOT failure rate by age
Most common Volkswagen Transporter MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3% of tests
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0% of tests
- Position lamp: not working2.0% of tests
What the Volkswagen Transporter fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11.3% | About average |
| Lights and electrics | 10.8% | ▼ 19% less often |
| Brakes | 7.5% | About average |
| Tyres | 5.5% | ▼ 23% less often |
| Visibility | 5.0% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.7% | About average |
| Body and structure | 3.7% | ▼ 16% less often |
| Steering | 2.1% | ▼ 19% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% | About average |
| Wheels | 0.3% | ▼ 38% less often |
Volkswagen Transporter specs and running costs
Official figures for 31 versions sold in the UK between 2010 and 2010.
Fuel types
Diesel
Official economy
28.8–35.3 mpg
CO2
211–259 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 1.9 TDI PD T30 (84ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 35.3 mpg | 211g | £445 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 1.9 TDI PD T30 (84ps) with DPFM5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 35.3 mpg | 211g | £445 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 1.9 TDI PD T30 (102ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 34.9 mpg | 214g | £445 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 1.9 TDI PD T30 (102ps) with DPFM5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 33.6 mpg | 221g | £445 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 2.5 TDI PD T30 (130ps) with DPFM6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 34 mpg | 219g | £445 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 2.5 TDI PD (130ps) T30 Tiptronic with DPFA6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 29.7 mpg | 251g | £760 |
| Transporter Shuttle SWB/LWB (S,SE) 2.5 TDI PD T30 (174ps) with DPFM6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 33.6 mpg | 221g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 1.9 TDI PD (84ps) T30M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 35.3 mpg | 211g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 1.9 TDI PD (84ps) T30 with DPFM5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 35.3 mpg | 211g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 1.9 TDI PD (102ps) T32 with DPFM5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 33.6 mpg | 221g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 1.9 TDI PD (102ps) T32M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 34.9 mpg | 214g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 2.5 TDI PD (130ps) T30 Tiptronic with DPFA6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 29.7 mpg | 251g | £760 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 2.5 TDI PD 4MOTION (130ps) T30 with DPFQM6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 31 mpg | 240g | £760 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 2.5 TDI PD (130ps) T32 with DPFM6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 34 mpg | 219g | £445 |
| Transporter Window Van SWB/LWB Low Roof 2.5 TDI PD (174ps) T30/T32 with DPFM6 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 33.6 mpg | 221g | £445 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 31 versions.
What a Volkswagen Transporter costs to fuel
- diesel, typical official 33.6mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Volkswagen TransporterBuying a used Volkswagen Transporter?
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Other Volkswagen models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Volkswagen Transporter is 6% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 106 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Volkswagen Transporter?
The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 3.2% of tests.
›How many Volkswagen Transporters fail their MOT?
30.1% of Volkswagen Transporters aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024, and 17.4% failed at their first MOT.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Volkswagen Transporter combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.