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BFW 526W

1981 Volkswagen Transporter

Cream Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Apr 2026
Tests23 (13 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate56.5%

Mileage

59,793 mi
Last recorded59,793 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 2025
Typical for 1981 Volkswagen Transporter59,447 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBFW 526W
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1981
ColourCream
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,588cc

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

13 pass 10 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2025 59,793 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front tyres over 10 years old

Rear tyres over 10 years old

Fail 15 Apr 2025 59,793 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front tyres over 10 years old

Rear tyres over 10 years old

Pass 23 Jul 2021 59,646 miles

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Inner D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Step (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Outer sill slight corrosion

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Centre (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Floor plan slight corrosion engine bay area

Fail 17 Jul 2021 59,646 miles

Front Headlamp not working on main beam Both sides (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Inner D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Step (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Outer sill slight corrosion

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Centre (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Floor plan slight corrosion engine bay area

Pass 4 Apr 2019 54,709 miles

Offside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

Fail 22 Mar 2019 54,709 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Cab steps so insecure it is likely to cause injury (6.2.8 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill/outrigger (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury side door (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch missing (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2018 50,761 miles

Nearside Front outer sill coroded

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front sill/ inner wing coroded

Offside Rear outer sill badly corroded recommend repair

Fail 26 Mar 2018 50,521 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front outer sill coroded

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front sill/ inner wing coroded

Offside Rear outer sill badly corroded recommend repair

Pass 4 Apr 2017 42,269 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Fail 4 Apr 2017 42,268 miles

Central Front Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear [marked] (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Pass 11 Apr 2016 36,347 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

offside rear brake slight binding

oil leak

Fail 8 Apr 2016 36,347 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

offside rear brake slight binding

oil leak

Pass 27 Apr 2015 161,264 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Oil leak

Fail 24 Apr 2015 161,264 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Oil leak

Pass 1 May 2014 149,449 miles

Both rear wheel bearings have slight play

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front anti-roll bar bushes perished

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 26 Apr 2013 146,495 miles

Nearside front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Oil leak

slight play in all four steering rack mounting rubbers

Pass 1 Jun 2012 145,635 miles
Fail 31 May 2012 145,619 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 6 May 2011 144,560 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2010 143,755 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 31 Oct 2008 143,343 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2008 143,343 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Fail 22 Sep 2008 143,343 miles

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Upper Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Rear fog lamp switch missing (1.3.1a)

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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BFW 526W is a 1981 Volkswagen Transporter in Cream with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.5%.

Across all 1981 Volkswagen Transporter models, the average MOT pass rate is 62.4% with a typical mileage of 59,447 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 BFW 526W, 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 45 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 BFW 526W?

You can check the full history of BFW 526W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BFW 526W registered?

BFW 526W is a 1981 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 31 December 1981.

Is BFW 526W safe to buy?

The MOT history for BFW 526W shows 23 tests with a 56.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BFW 526W 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 BFW 526W. 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.