Volkswagen Van Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Van car check
Is the Volkswagen Van reliable? We analysed 3,103 real MOT tests across 240 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Van? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Van is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, position lamp(s) not working and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Van.
Volkswagen Van Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Van. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Van MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Van to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Van Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Van fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Van Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Van owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Van MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Van year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 108 | 76.9% | 51,640 | 66,370 | 107,610 |
| 2011 | 99 | 75.8% | 88,731 | 122,433 | 175,102 |
| 2009 | 110 | 75.5% | 71,414 | 82,861 | 109,194 |
| 2008 | 117 | 71.8% | 27,394 | 57,466 | 94,630 |
| 2007 | 102 | 68.6% | 54,020 | 75,654 | 92,808 |
| 2006 | 153 | 68.6% | 8,147 | 39,275 | 93,075 |
| 2005 | 79 | 82.3% | 29,898 | 55,290 | 98,555 |
| 2004 | 139 | 80.6% | 55,662 | 73,484 | 91,874 |
| 2003 | 64 | 73.4% | 48,476 | 90,911 | 149,942 |
| 2002 | 123 | 74.8% | 55,504 | 113,760 | 214,160 |
| 2001 | 83 | 62.7% | 53,138 | 70,943 | 127,682 |
| 2000 | 121 | 66.9% | 58,149 | 93,585 | 164,924 |
| 1999 | 51 | 70.6% | 81,139 | 82,588 | 183,489 |
| 1998 | 56 | 71.4% | 39,149 | 51,861 | 144,640 |
| 1996 | 65 | 76.9% | 142,521 | 162,084 | 192,558 |
| 1994 | 60 | 63.3% | 81,712 | 135,102 | 168,880 |
| 1991 | 130 | 70.0% | 95,978 | 120,405 | 147,714 |
| 1990 | 58 | 69.0% | 40,078 | 98,583 | 245,133 |
| 1989 | 77 | 68.8% | 47,647 | 79,594 | 232,717 |
| 1982 | 81 | 76.5% | 5,625 | 50,295 | 85,251 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Van Last?
Based on 240 Volkswagen Van vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Van Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Van 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 Van
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
82.3% MOT pass rate from 79 tests
61.4% MOT pass rate from 83 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Van is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.3% across 79 tests. The 1966 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Van Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Van THIS CAR | 70.4% | 3,103 | 75,102 mi | 60 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 |
| Honda CBX750 | 82.1% | 3,696 | 37,431 mi | 42 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Van trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Van 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 VanShould you buy a used Volkswagen Van?
The Volkswagen Van has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.4% across 3,103 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Van are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (142 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (111), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (107). 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 Van owner drives around 2,083 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 Van models stay on UK roads for around 60 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.