Volkswagen Kombi Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Kombi car check
Is the Volkswagen Kombi reliable? We analysed 5,583 real MOT tests across 709 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Kombi? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Kombi is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Kombi.
Volkswagen Kombi Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Kombi. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Kombi MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Kombi to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Kombi Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Kombi fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Kombi Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Kombi owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Kombi MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Kombi year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 83 | 78.3% | 8,585 | 20,644 | 54,606 |
| 2017 | 122 | 68.9% | 18,904 | 52,963 | 78,478 |
| 2016 | 131 | 72.5% | 26,992 | 50,812 | 75,888 |
| 2015 | 104 | 72.1% | 34,699 | 61,661 | 85,827 |
| 2014 | 58 | 77.6% | 37,270 | 45,998 | 89,296 |
| 2013 | 183 | 74.3% | 12,953 | 44,264 | 74,355 |
| 2012 | 103 | 70.9% | 33,508 | 62,665 | 79,884 |
| 2011 | 96 | 64.6% | 14,583 | 24,111 | 62,153 |
| 2010 | 166 | 77.7% | 13,423 | 26,295 | 66,635 |
| 2009 | 151 | 70.2% | 25,574 | 56,029 | 85,201 |
| 2008 | 299 | 71.6% | 27,304 | 47,235 | 75,542 |
| 2007 | 211 | 70.6% | 27,237 | 40,901 | 66,133 |
| 2006 | 202 | 70.8% | 46,548 | 57,642 | 80,163 |
| 2005 | 152 | 75.0% | 23,538 | 32,335 | 94,282 |
| 2004 | 77 | 68.8% | 37,129 | 54,063 | 66,243 |
| 2003 | 56 | 76.8% | 29,398 | 76,834 | 86,382 |
| 2002 | 64 | 65.6% | 18,312 | 61,694 | 162,684 |
| 2001 | 51 | 72.5% | 8,897 | 15,187 | 76,265 |
| 1998 | 110 | 72.7% | 39,610 | 78,631 | 149,002 |
| 1995 | 66 | 72.7% | 40,300 | 50,462 | 76,519 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Kombi Last?
Based on 709 Volkswagen Kombi vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Kombi Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Kombi MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Kombi
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.7% MOT pass rate from 77 tests
56.3% MOT pass rate from 80 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Kombi is 1965, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.7% across 77 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Kombi Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Kombi THIS CAR | 70.4% | 5,583 | 50,212 mi | 62 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Peugeot Bailey | 90.1% | 8,474 | 12,841 mi | 14 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Kombi trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Kombi you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen KombiShould you buy a used Volkswagen Kombi?
The Volkswagen Kombi has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.4% across 5,583 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Kombi are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (371 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (264), and stop lamp not working (221). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volkswagen Kombi owner drives around 954 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Kombi models stay on UK roads for around 62 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.