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C181 FTA

1986 Volkswagen Transporter

White Petrol 2461cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jul 2026
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

80,102 mi
Last recorded80,102 miles
Recorded on11 Jul 2025
Typical for 1986 Volkswagen Transporter70,547 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationC181 FTA
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1986
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,461cc

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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 11 Jul 2025 80,102 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2025 80,102 miles

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

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 15 Jul 2024 79,949 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2024 79,934 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Jul 2023 79,574 miles

Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced HEAVILY UNDERSEALED (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Fail 19 Oct 2019 79,573 miles

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Marked in yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 30 Oct 2018 79,573 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 4 Sep 2018 79,573 miles

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

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers damaged to the extent that it does not function very soft operation (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Cracked on tread pattern (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm mounting has an unsafe modification Front outer mounting badly corroded (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Shock absorbers damaged to the extent that it does not function very soft operation (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

engine has a bad miss fire

Fail 4 Sep 2018 79,573 miles

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

Pass 7 Sep 2017 79,579 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2017 79,573 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside rear parking (secondary) brake grabbing severely (3.7.B.6b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 9 Sep 2016 78,698 miles

Nearside Front tyre slight cracking in tread

Offside Front slight cracking in tread

Fail 1 Sep 2016

Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings door step (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot(s) or their associated mountings locking device insecure (3.1.4b)

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

Nearside Front tyre slight cracking in tread

Offside Front slight cracking in tread

Pass 5 May 2015 78,597 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2013 77,709 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 5 Sep 2013 77,706 miles

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 18 Jan 2012 77,397 miles

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

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

Offside Front Upper Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 13 Jan 2011 76,182 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 25 Jan 2010 74,741 miles

nearside and offside front door steps corroded but noy within a prescribed area

Fail 20 Jan 2010 74,741 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

nearside and offside front door steps corroded but noy within a prescribed area

Pass 24 Jun 2008 71,612 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2007 66,505 miles

rear brakes are noisy in operation

Fail 20 Jun 2007 66,471 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

rear brakes are noisy in operation

Pass 23 Jun 2006 61,571 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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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C181 FTA is a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter in White with a 2,461cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 1986 Volkswagen Transporter models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.9% with a typical mileage of 70,547 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 C181 FTA, 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 40 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 C181 FTA?

You can check the full history of C181 FTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C181 FTA registered?

C181 FTA is a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 7 January 1986.

Is C181 FTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C181 FTA shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C181 FTA 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 C181 FTA. 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.