1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 64.2% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1986 passed their MOT first time, against 73.9% for all cars first used in 1986. Across 2,272 Transporter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1986 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
64.2%
of 702 first tests; all cars first used in 1986: 73.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,272
first tests, 2023–2025; 702 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
27.6%
of 702 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
69,500
middle half: 32,500–110,500 miles; all cars first used in 1986: 80,500

How the 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 1986 against all cars first used in 1986 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 9.7 points lower.

1986 TransporterAll cars first used in 1986
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1986, test year 2021: 68.2%All cars first used in 1986, test year 2022: 70.3%All cars first used in 1986, test year 2023: 71.5%All cars first used in 1986, test year 2024: 72.8%All cars first used in 1986, test year 2025: 73.9%1986 Transporter, test year 2021: 56.2%1986 Transporter, test year 2022: 59.6%1986 Transporter, test year 2023: 61.3%1986 Transporter, test year 2024: 63.9%1986 Transporter, test year 2025: 64.2%73.9%64.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year1986 TransporterAll cars first used 1986Transporter first tests
202156.2%68.2%780
202259.6%70.3%845
202361.3%71.5%817
202463.9%72.8%753
202564.2%73.9%702

Common 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures

Share of the 839 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment53.3%
Suspension37.8%
Brakes30.3%
Body, chassis, structure27.1%
Visibility25.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks15.5%
Steering15.5%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems6.9%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength20.5%172
Horn: not working13.0%109
Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.5%80
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively9.5%80
Washers: not working9.1%76

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1986 Transporters, as a share of all 2,272 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Wheel bearings: has slight play19.4%441
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material13.3%302
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.5%284
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.4%190
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge6.2%142

Questions about the 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter?

In 2025, 64.2% of Transporters first used in 1986 passed their MOT first time, against 73.9% for all cars first used in 1986. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1986 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (37.8%) and brakes (30.3%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (20.5%).

How often does a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?

In 2025, 35.8% of first tests on Transporters first used in 1986 did not pass first time: 31.9% failed, and a further 3.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 839 of 2,272 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?

“Wheel bearings: has slight play” (on 19.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.3%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.4%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (6.2%).

Is a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 56.2% in 2021 to 64.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

How the 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1986 Transporter” means a Volkswagen Transporter whose date of first use falls in 1986 (C and D plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1986, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.