1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 55.7% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. Across 11,243 Transporter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Transporters first used in 1998 (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 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 1998 against all cars first used in 1998 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 9.9 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1998 Transporter | All cars first used 1998 | Transporter first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53.1% | 60.7% | 4,108 |
| 2022 | 53.2% | 62.4% | 4,081 |
| 2023 | 54.8% | 64.0% | 3,953 |
| 2024 | 55.1% | 64.9% | 3,751 |
| 2025 | 55.7% | 65.6% | 3,539 |
Common 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
Share of the 5,039 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 | 19.5% | 984 |
| Horn: not working | 11.5% | 581 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.9% | 547 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 9.4% | 476 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.3% | 469 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 1998 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.
- 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.
- 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 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1998 Transporters, as a share of all 11,243 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 22.7% | 2,550 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 20.8% | 2,344 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 16.3% | 1,829 |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 15.0% | 1,688 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.2% | 1,369 |
Questions about the 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2025, 55.7% of Transporters first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1998 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (38.4%) and suspension (37.4%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (19.5%).
How often does a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?
In 2025, 44.3% of first tests on Transporters first used in 1998 did not pass first time: 39.0% failed, and a further 5.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,039 of 11,243 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 22.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (20.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (16.3%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (15.0%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.2%).
Is a 1998 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 53.1% in 2021 to 55.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1998
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1998 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1998 Nissan Micra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1998 Transporter?
The numbers above cover every Transporter first used in 1998 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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