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E278 TEJ

1988 Volkswagen Transporter

Red Diesel 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Mar 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

161,603 mi
Last recorded161,603 miles
Recorded on13 Mar 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE278 TEJ
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1988
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 13 Mar 2026 161,603 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

O/s/r lower front most wheel arch holed, but not considered structural.

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Mar 2026 161,601 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or 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 Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced trailing arm mount (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Lower quarter rear most holed/corroded not near Suspension component mounting area

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Mar 2025 160,014 miles
Pass 25 May 2024 160,001 miles

engine oil leaks noted

f/n/s upper ball joint worn

r/o/s lower suspension arm very rusty

r/o/s tyre perished

vehicle underneth very rusty

Fail 30 Apr 2024 159,905 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, 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 Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Tyre damaged/cracking or perishing

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 26 May 2023 159,736 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 26 May 2023 159,736 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle missing (7.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Indicator switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 28 May 2022 159,328 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge stepped (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 21 Sep 2020 157,831 miles
Pass 3 May 2019 154,914 miles
Pass 17 May 2018 151,478 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Front Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Seal corroded

Pass 19 Apr 2017 146,989 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2016 132,738 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2015 128,283 miles

Spare tyre defective

Fail 16 Apr 2015 128,283 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Spare tyre defective

exhaust bracket broken

Pass 27 Feb 2014 128,283 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Trailer electrical socket damaged, but the lead can still be securely connected (1.9.3b)

offside doorshut corroded

outer sills corroded

Fail 13 Feb 2014 128,283 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Front O/S step corroded

N/S/R tyre cracked and perished

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

O/S front and rear sills corroded

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 15 Feb 2013 125,705 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

all brake pipes covered in grease

diesel injectors/pump and pipes damp no leak found at time of test but strong smell of diesel from engine bay

holed corrosion to nearside and offside rear floors at back of rear wheel arches out of prescribed area

nearside front inner wheel arch corroded

nearside outer sill corroded

nearside rear inner wheel arch repaired/heavily undersealed leaving a slightly enlarged drain plug hole

offside and nearside front floors/steps corroded

offside front seat fore and aft adjustment poor very stiff close to excessive

rear seats folded down and fully loaded at time of test

tape around nearside front brake hose

Fail 11 Feb 2013 125,674 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

all brake pipes covered in grease

diesel injectors/pump and pipes damp no leak found at time of test but strong smell of diesel from engine bay

holed corrosion to nearside and offside rear floors at back of rear wheel arches out of prescribed area

nearside front inner wheel arch corroded

nearside outer sill corroded

nearside rear inner wheel arch repaired/heavily undersealed leaving a slightly enlarged drain plug hole

offside and nearside front floors/steps corroded

offside front seat fore and aft adjustment poor very stiff close to excessive

rear seats folded down and fully loaded at time of test

tape around nearside front brake hose

Fail 15 Jan 2013 125,674 miles

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

aux drive belt poor, noisy

drivers seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism poor, stiff

heavy corrosion to o/s and n/s rear lower rear sill's rear of wheel arch, out of prescribed area

tape to n/s front brake hose

Pass 20 Jan 2012 117,096 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 13 Jan 2012 117,018 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

fan/ alternator belt loose.

Pass 23 Dec 2010 114,294 miles
Fail 23 Dec 2010 114,294 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 15 Jan 2010 112,144 miles
Fail 15 Jan 2010 112,141 miles

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Pass 10 Nov 2008 109,906 miles

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

Centre Brake rod corroded but not seriously weakened (3.5.1e)

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

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

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

Pass 15 Nov 2007 107,394 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2006 104,288 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2005 99,830 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end damaged but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Offside Rear rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

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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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.

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E278 TEJ is a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter in Red with a 1,588cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 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 E278 TEJ, 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 E278 TEJ?

You can check the full history of E278 TEJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E278 TEJ registered?

E278 TEJ is a 1988 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 7 January 1988.

Is E278 TEJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for E278 TEJ shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E278 TEJ 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 E278 TEJ. 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.