2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 55.7% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 19,068 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 2002 (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 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 3.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2002 Transporter | All cars first used 2002 | Transporter first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54.4% | 54.4% | 6,570 |
| 2022 | 53.8% | 56.2% | 6,717 |
| 2023 | 55.6% | 57.5% | 6,585 |
| 2024 | 53.8% | 58.0% | 6,317 |
| 2025 | 55.7% | 59.5% | 6,166 |
Common 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
Share of the 8,580 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 | 13.1% | 1,124 |
| Position lamp: not working | 10.7% | 916 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 10.0% | 862 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 9.6% | 826 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 9.6% | 820 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2002 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 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 Transporters, as a share of all 19,068 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 21.2% | 4,040 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 18.2% | 3,474 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 15.2% | 2,905 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.3% | 2,529 |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 13.0% | 2,486 |
Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2025, 55.7% of Transporters first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2002 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (36.3%) and suspension (34.5%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (13.1%).
How often does a 2002 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?
In 2025, 44.3% of first tests on Transporters first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 38.5% failed, and a further 5.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 8,580 of 19,068 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 21.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (18.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (15.2%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.3%) and “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (13.0%).
Is a 2002 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 54.4% 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 2002
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2002 Transporter?
The numbers above cover every Transporter first used in 2002 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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