1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 56.2% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1993 passed their MOT first time, against 68.9% for all cars first used in 1993. Across 3,065 Transporter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, body, chassis and structure and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1993 (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
How the 1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 1993 against all cars first used in 1993 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 12.7 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1993 Transporter | All cars first used 1993 | Transporter first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50.6% | 63.7% | 1,161 |
| 2022 | 53.6% | 65.8% | 1,151 |
| 2023 | 53.0% | 66.9% | 1,094 |
| 2024 | 57.1% | 67.4% | 1,006 |
| 2025 | 56.2% | 68.9% | 965 |
Common 1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
Share of the 1,369 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 17.4% | 238 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 14.8% | 203 |
| Horn: not working | 12.5% | 171 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.6% | 145 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 10.4% | 142 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 1993 Volkswagen Transporter before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1993 Transporters, as a share of all 3,065 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 16.0% | 490 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 15.7% | 482 |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 10.6% | 326 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.4% | 318 |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 9.2% | 283 |
Questions about the 1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1993 Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2025, 56.2% of Transporters first used in 1993 passed their MOT first time, against 68.9% for all cars first used in 1993. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1993 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 54.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), body, chassis and structure (39.4%) and suspension (34.1%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (17.4%).
How often does a 1993 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.8% of first tests on Transporters first used in 1993 did not pass first time: 39.4% failed, and a further 4.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,369 of 3,065 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1993 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 16.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (15.7%), “Integral vehicle structure condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced” (10.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.4%) and “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (9.2%).
Is a 1993 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 50.6% in 2021 to 56.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Checking a specific 1993 Transporter?
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