CarVerify

Free Car Check

A5 OVW

1988 Volkswagen Transporter

Red Petrol 2100cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 May 2027
Tests46 (34 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate73.9%

Mileage

175,974 mi
Last recorded175,974 miles
Recorded on1 May 2026
Typical for 1988 Volkswagen Transporter126,992 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationA5 OVW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1988
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,100cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

34 pass 12 fail
Pass 1 May 2026 175,974 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both pipes ,front to rear. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp reflector slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 8 May 2025 173,589 miles
Pass 16 May 2024 171,351 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2024 155,342 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule and offside (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated and offside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 18 May 2023 169,906 miles

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Feb 2023 153,171 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 26 May 2022 168,447 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2021 151,516 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

nearside and offside steps corroded - not in prescribed area

Pass 25 Jun 2021 166,968 miles

exhaust pipe starting to deteriorate

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Sep 2020 150,816 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2019 166,113 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Mar 2019 150,578 miles

N/S/F and O/S/F Door steps corroded and holed

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Tyre starting to perish (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Surface corrosion on underside

Wheel bearing has slight play N/S/R and O/S/R (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Mar 2019 150,578 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements Incorrectly spaced (0.1 (d))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements Incorrectly spaced (0.1 (d))

N/S/F and O/S/F Door steps corroded and holed

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Tyre starting to perish (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Surface corrosion on underside

Wheel bearing has slight play N/S/R and O/S/R (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Apr 2018 147,933 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2018 147,933 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 16 Feb 2018 165,874 miles

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion Step (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion Step (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 7 Apr 2017 144,743 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

slight play in coloum

Pass 7 Mar 2017 164,975 miles

Front Front wheel bearing has slight play offside & nearside (2.5.A.3c)

Front brake discs backing plate rusted offside & nearside

Front door steps rusted offside & nearside

Fail 23 Feb 2017 164,975 miles

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front brake caliper securing device loose offside & nearside (3.5.1j)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front Front wheel bearing has slight play offside & nearside (2.5.A.3c)

Front brake discs backing plate rusted offside & nearside

Front door steps rusted offside & nearside

Pass 12 May 2016 141,096 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

small chip in windscreen passenger side

Fail 12 May 2016 141,096 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

small chip in windscreen passenger side

Pass 18 Feb 2016 161,962 miles

Front Front wheel bearing has slight play offside & nearside (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Fail 18 Feb 2016 161,962 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Front Front wheel bearing has slight play offside & nearside (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Pass 26 Feb 2015 156,553 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

advise corrosion on exhaust system.

advise corrosion on rear chassis and lower of both front door foot steps.

Pass 20 Mar 2014 155,372 miles

brake back plates rusty

exhaust rusty

oil around gearbox

Pass 22 Mar 2013 153,516 miles
Pass 6 Feb 2013 141,036 miles

Oil leak

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 20 Mar 2012 151,851 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2012 151,851 miles

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.A.2a)

Nearside Rear Lower coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Lower coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated (3.1.3c)

Parking brake lever insecure (3.1.3b)

both handbrakes not locking rollers n/s/r,,o/s/r advise,..

no reverse light on van//

o/s/f dust cover all rusted away,,on discs,,back plate,..

oil leaks all over engine advise steam clean and rechecks..

play in wheel bearing o/s/f,,and slight play n/s/f..

poor washer n/s/f,,

underside corrosion evident,,,,also heat exchangers by exhaust,,corroded

Pass 27 Jan 2012 140,961 miles
Pass 15 Mar 2011 150,135 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2011 150,135 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 14 Feb 2011 140,910 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2010 148,888 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 17 Feb 2010 140,484 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2010 140,484 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 9 Mar 2009 146,321 miles
Fail 5 Mar 2009 146,321 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

Pass 19 Feb 2009 140,088 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2009 140,088 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 1 Feb 2008 138,944 miles
Pass 11 Oct 2007 139,286 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2006 137,414 miles
Fail 4 Aug 2006 137,414 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Pass 13 Apr 2006 128,446 miles

rear flexi ferrules rusty.

Fail 4 Apr 2006 128,432 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Transporter?

Based on 5,346,355 MOT tests across 357,225 vehicles.

73.0%
Pass Rate
5,816
Miles/Year
42
Year Lifespan
357,225
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Registration plate lamp not working 89,943
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 68,503
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 59,686
position lamp(s) not working 56,717
Stop lamp not working 56,335
Full Volkswagen Transporter reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

A5 OVW is a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter in Red with a 2,100cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 46 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.9%.

Across all 1988 Volkswagen Transporter models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.5% with a typical mileage of 126,992 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Transporter fails its MOT is registration plate lamp not working, accounting for 89,943 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A5 OVW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Transporter typically stays on UK roads for around 42 years. At 38 years old, this Volkswagen Transporter is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A5 OVW?

You can check the full history of A5 OVW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A5 OVW registered?

A5 OVW is a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 30 December 1988.

Is A5 OVW safe to buy?

The MOT history for A5 OVW shows 46 tests with a 73.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A5 OVW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A5 OVW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.