Volkswagen Type 2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Type 2 car check
Is the Volkswagen Type 2 reliable? We analysed 11,485 real MOT tests across 931 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Type 2? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Type 2 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 Type 2.
Volkswagen Type 2 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Type 2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Type 2 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Type 2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Type 2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Type 2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Type 2 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Type 2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Type 2 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Type 2 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 55 | 69.1% | 30,427 | 64,922 | 75,192 |
| 2015 | 156 | 73.7% | 34,003 | 59,816 | 83,082 |
| 2014 | 161 | 72.7% | 24,344 | 48,628 | 64,326 |
| 2013 | 141 | 70.2% | 23,346 | 51,551 | 68,107 |
| 2012 | 162 | 68.5% | 18,359 | 41,800 | 70,058 |
| 2011 | 264 | 72.3% | 37,668 | 52,246 | 78,703 |
| 2010 | 268 | 75.4% | 30,582 | 45,821 | 63,838 |
| 2009 | 255 | 73.7% | 25,274 | 46,342 | 72,072 |
| 2008 | 501 | 71.9% | 18,310 | 40,291 | 80,558 |
| 2007 | 413 | 69.5% | 32,099 | 58,270 | 86,270 |
| 2006 | 417 | 69.5% | 22,550 | 53,516 | 73,544 |
| 2005 | 304 | 68.1% | 16,412 | 38,838 | 61,571 |
| 2004 | 380 | 75.5% | 45,451 | 56,684 | 76,604 |
| 2003 | 249 | 76.3% | 18,889 | 34,050 | 84,834 |
| 2002 | 152 | 67.1% | 55,958 | 86,428 | 163,220 |
| 2001 | 86 | 70.9% | 69,916 | 87,232 | 97,824 |
| 1994 | 51 | 64.7% | 84,625 | 93,959 | 134,310 |
| 1989 | 144 | 67.4% | 52,434 | 84,301 | 161,321 |
| 1985 | 67 | 65.7% | 22,504 | 44,523 | 85,383 |
| 1980 | 380 | 65.0% | 19,890 | 46,981 | 76,038 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Type 2 Last?
Based on 931 Volkswagen Type 2 vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Type 2 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Type 2 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 Type 2
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.1% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
61.5% MOT pass rate from 257 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Type 2 is 1966, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.1% across 121 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Type 2 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Type 2 THIS CAR | 68.5% | 11,485 | 50,591 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 |
| Renault Grnd Scenic Dynamique DCI | 66.6% | 5,349 | 49,158 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Type 2 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Type 2 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 Type 2Should you buy a used Volkswagen Type 2?
The Volkswagen Type 2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.5% across 11,485 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Type 2 are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (935 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (631), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (538). 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 Type 2 owner drives around 1,092 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 Type 2 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.