CarVerify

Free Car Check

S978 CWL

1999 Volkswagen Transporter

Red Diesel 2461cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Mar 2027
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

246,662 mi
Last recorded246,662 miles
Recorded on6 Mar 2026
Typical for 1999 Volkswagen Transporter143,659 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

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

RegistrationS978 CWL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1999
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 6 Mar 2026 246,662 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play offside and nearside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush offside and nearside (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside corroded leading from brake flexi-hoses (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Coil spring corroded offside and nearside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Feb 2022 244,495 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

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

Rear Inner sills corroding

Fail 4 Feb 2022 244,495 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

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

Rear Inner sills corroding

Pass 3 Feb 2021 241,310 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2021 241,310 miles

Steering rack not properly attached steering rack mounting bolts loose (2.1.2 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jan 2020 238,616 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2020 238,608 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 9 Jan 2019 238,608 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Dec 2018 238,608 miles

Central Front Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour white light (4.4.3 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel both rear (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 29 Nov 2017 238,608 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Oil leak ()

Pass 14 Dec 2016 233,265 miles

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

Pass 9 Dec 2015 222,162 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2014 209,163 miles

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

Pass 12 Dec 2013 196,012 miles

rear brake pads worn low

Fail 12 Dec 2013 196,009 miles

Nearside Electrical wiring inadequately supported (1.9.2a)

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

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Pass 18 Dec 2012 177,342 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

centre exhaust holed and slight blow

n/s inner cv boot deteriorated

o/s headlamp damaged

Fail 18 Dec 2012 177,342 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

centre exhaust holed and slight blow

Pass 21 Dec 2011 157,019 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Fail 21 Dec 2011 157,019 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 31 Jan 2011 142,608 miles

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

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

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

Fail 28 Jan 2011 142,596 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

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

Pass 20 Jan 2010 103,799 miles
Fail 18 Jan 2010 103,783 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 8 Jan 2009 123,869 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2008 117,169 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 29 Jan 2008 117,169 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2007 110,294 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 25 Jan 2007 110,294 miles
Fail 20 Jan 2006 97,892 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 20 Jan 2006 97,892 miles

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

S978 CWL is a 1999 Volkswagen Transporter in Red with a 2,461cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1999 Volkswagen Transporter models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.6% with a typical mileage of 143,659 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 S978 CWL, 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 27 years old, this Volkswagen Transporter is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S978 CWL?

You can check the full history of S978 CWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S978 CWL registered?

S978 CWL is a 1999 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 1 February 1999.

Is S978 CWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for S978 CWL shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S978 CWL 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 S978 CWL. 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.