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V278 FVU

1999 Volkswagen Transporter

Grey Diesel 2461cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Dec 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

236,087 mi
Last recorded236,087 miles
Recorded on9 Dec 2025
Typical for 1999 Volkswagen Transporter143,659 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationV278 FVU
MakeVolkswagen
ModelTransporter
Year1999
ColourGrey
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 9 Dec 2025 236,087 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 20 May 2025 236,029 miles

Nearside Front All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/70/15c (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 14 May 2024 233,887 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/70/15 c (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

advise corrosion under vehicle not in prescribed areas

Fail 9 May 2024 233,886 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 195/70/15 c (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/70/15 c (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

advise corrosion under vehicle not in prescribed areas

Pass 16 May 2023 230,703 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

vehicle heavily undersealed

Fail 12 May 2023 230,703 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

vehicle heavily undersealed

Fail 14 Feb 2023 230,634 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front bush mounting area on suspension arm DANGEROUS (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded little pipe on calliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength FRONT BUSHMOUNTING AREA ON SUSPENSION ARM DANGEROUS (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2022 227,728 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

advise corrosion under vehicle no holes time of test

Pass 11 Mar 2021 223,695 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 1995/70/15 c (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 3 Mar 2021 223,693 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 1995/70/15 c (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear advise sill corroded and holed not in prescribed area time of test

Pass 9 Mar 2020 220,982 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

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

Fail 9 Mar 2020 220,982 miles

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

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

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

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

Pass 13 Mar 2019 218,330 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2018 215,726 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 195/70/15 c (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge on limit 195/70/15 c (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Mar 2017 211,852 miles

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 24 Feb 2017 211,751 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 10 Mar 2016 209,681 miles

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

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

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

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

advise corrosion under vehicle not in prescribed area time of test

Pass 4 Mar 2015 206,760 miles

advise both inner sills corroded no holes time of test

advise o/s outer sill corroded and holed no in prescribed area time of test

advise slight smoke from exhaust not excessive time of test

Pass 22 Jan 2014 201,702 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2014 201,702 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 22 Jan 2013 190,816 miles
Fail 17 Jan 2013 190,816 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 11 Jan 2012 179,719 miles

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

osf inner sill corroded

Fail 9 Jan 2012 179,718 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

osf inner sill corroded

Pass 5 Jan 2011 175,920 miles

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 22 Dec 2009 171,639 miles
Fail 19 Dec 2009 171,637 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 16 Dec 2008 164,313 miles

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 10 Dec 2007 153,285 miles

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 3 Jan 2007 145,117 miles

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

Pass 1 Nov 2005 138,225 miles

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

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

Offside Rear 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

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V278 FVU is a 1999 Volkswagen Transporter in Grey with a 2,461cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 V278 FVU, 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 V278 FVU?

You can check the full history of V278 FVU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was V278 FVU registered?

V278 FVU is a 1999 Volkswagen Transporter, first registered on 7 December 1999.

Is V278 FVU safe to buy?

The MOT history for V278 FVU shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does V278 FVU 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 V278 FVU. 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.