Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 58 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 44.8%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb MOT Reliability Overview
The Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 58 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 55.2% and a failure rate of 44.8%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb earns a "Below Average" reliability rating. The average Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb presents for MOT with approximately 114,025 miles on the clock. The 2003 manufacture year performs best with a 53.7% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 29.3% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Brakes at 29.3%. Steering rounds out the top three at 22.4%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 39.7% | 23 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.2% | 21 |
| 3 | Steering | 25.9% | 15 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 22.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Suspension | 20.7% | 12 |
| 7 | Driver's View Of The Road | 19.0% | 11 |
| 8 | Registration Plates And Vin | 5.2% | 3 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 5.2% | 3 |
| 10 | Road Wheels | 1.7% | 1 |
| 11 | Body, Structure And General Items | 1.7% | 1 |
| 12 | Items Not Tested | 1.7% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 114,025 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.48 | 39.7% | 23 |
| Brakes | 3.18 | 36.2% | 21 |
| Steering | 2.27 | 25.9% | 15 |
| Tyres | 2.12 | 24.1% | 14 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.97 | 22.4% | 13 |
| Suspension | 1.81 | 20.7% | 12 |
| Visibility | 1.66 | 19.0% | 11 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.45 | 5.2% | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 0.45 | 5.2% | 3 |
| Wheels | 0.15 | 1.7% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.15 | 1.7% | 1 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.15 | 1.7% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb has 114,025 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 3.93% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb MOT Data
The Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 58 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 55.2% and a failure rate of 44.8%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 29.3% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 29.3% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 29.3% of failures
Brakes issues account for 29.3% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Steering — 22.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 22.4% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb?
Based on 58 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb has an overall pass rate of 55.2% (44.8% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb?
The top 3 reasons a Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (29.3%), 2. Brakes (29.3%), 3. Steering (22.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb reliable?
With a 44.8% MOT failure rate, the Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volkswagen Transporter 88bhp Spl Swb?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (29.3%); Brakes (29.3%); Steering (22.4%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.