1997 Volkswagen Transporter MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Transporter models manufactured in 1997, based on 58,522 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Transporter cars tested in 1997. Want to see how cars built in 1997 hold up over time?
View 1997 Volkswagen Transporter vintage page → (55.8% current pass rate)1997 Volkswagen Transporter MOT Analysis
The 1997 Volkswagen Transporter has an MOT pass rate of 50.4% based on 58,522 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 148,144 miles on the odometer. With a 49.6% failure rate, the 1997 Transporter is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Volkswagen Transporter is Brakes, responsible for 8.0% of failures. 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 range from £150–400. Suspension is the second most common issue at 6.4%. Body, chassis, structure follows at 5.6%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall Transporter page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.0% | 4,653 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.4% | 3,736 |
| 3 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 5.6% | 3,257 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 4.7% | 2,746 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.1% | 1,217 |
| 6 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.7% | 998 |
| 7 | Steering | 1.6% | 957 |
| 8 | Visibility | 1.3% | 774 |
| 9 | Non-component Advisories | 0.9% | 517 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.6% | 379 |
| 11 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.3% | 172 |
| 12 | Road Wheels | 0.1% | 64 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 148,144 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.54 | 8.0% | 4,653 |
| Suspension | 0.43 | 6.4% | 3,736 |
| Body & Structure | 0.38 | 5.6% | 3,257 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.32 | 4.7% | 2,746 |
| Tyres | 0.14 | 2.1% | 1,217 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.12 | 1.7% | 998 |
| Steering | 0.11 | 1.6% | 957 |
| Visibility | 0.09 | 1.3% | 774 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.06 | 0.9% | 517 |
| Seat Belts | 0.04 | 0.6% | 379 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.02 | 0.3% | 172 |
| Wheels | 0.01 | 0.1% | 64 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Volkswagen Transporter has an MOT pass rate of 50.4% based on 58,522 tests — below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 148,144 miles on the odometer. With a 49.6% failure rate, the 1997 Transporter is rated as "Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Volkswagen Transporter, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: 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). With an average mileage of 148,144 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Brakes — 8.0% of failures
Brakes issues account for 8.0% of MOT failures on 1997 Volkswagen Transporter models. 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).
Suspension — 6.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 6.4% of MOT failures on 1997 Volkswagen Transporter models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Body, chassis, structure — 5.6% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 5.6% of MOT failures on 1997 Volkswagen Transporter models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.