Volkswagen Microbus Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Microbus car check
Is the Volkswagen Microbus reliable? We analysed 5,772 real MOT tests across 587 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Microbus? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Microbus is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Microbus.
Volkswagen Microbus Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Microbus. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Microbus MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Microbus to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Microbus Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Microbus fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Microbus Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Microbus owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Microbus MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Microbus year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 52 | 84.6% | 35,310 | 69,987 | 86,356 |
| 2017 | 89 | 80.9% | 25,197 | 50,687 | 82,158 |
| 2016 | 74 | 64.9% | 19,764 | 32,130 | 63,772 |
| 2011 | 55 | 61.8% | 18,973 | 29,599 | 31,814 |
| 2010 | 68 | 73.5% | 18,014 | 42,182 | 67,839 |
| 2009 | 68 | 76.5% | 8,798 | 18,791 | 34,543 |
| 2008 | 192 | 70.3% | 25,842 | 44,727 | 70,516 |
| 2007 | 306 | 74.5% | 29,286 | 53,130 | 69,296 |
| 2006 | 133 | 77.4% | 12,166 | 29,610 | 54,519 |
| 2005 | 278 | 72.3% | 22,197 | 39,704 | 66,835 |
| 2004 | 68 | 67.6% | 22,274 | 31,654 | 92,103 |
| 2003 | 92 | 80.4% | 5,713 | 33,211 | 67,790 |
| 2001 | 64 | 71.9% | 27,459 | 54,459 | 67,789 |
| 2000 | 59 | 79.7% | 17,964 | 22,097 | 32,853 |
| 1999 | 54 | 63.0% | 6,810 | 11,946 | 34,869 |
| 1997 | 62 | 66.1% | 59,061 | 82,374 | 133,390 |
| 1995 | 56 | 67.9% | 7,178 | 73,787 | 94,707 |
| 1981 | 60 | 66.7% | 97,644 | 121,905 | 131,413 |
| 1980 | 197 | 68.5% | 19,992 | 58,647 | 84,765 |
| 1979 | 604 | 65.7% | 46,431 | 68,711 | 124,681 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Microbus Last?
Based on 587 Volkswagen Microbus vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Microbus Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Microbus 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 Microbus
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.6% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
61.8% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Microbus is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.6% across 52 tests. The 2011 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Microbus Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Microbus THIS CAR | 69.7% | 5,772 | 52,062 mi | 61 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 |
| Microcar Mgo | 77.7% | 4,831 | 15,831 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Microbus trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Microbus 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 MicrobusShould you buy a used Volkswagen Microbus?
The Volkswagen Microbus has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.7% across 5,772 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Microbus are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (429 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (283), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (243). 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 Microbus owner drives around 910 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 Microbus models stay on UK roads for around 61 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.