2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 77.0% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 59,769 Transporter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Transporters first used in 2018 (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 2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 3.9 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Transporter | All cars first used 2018 | Transporter first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.4% | 87.6% | 19,000 |
| 2022 | 82.8% | 86.3% | 19,393 |
| 2023 | 80.5% | 84.2% | 19,509 |
| 2024 | 78.5% | 82.5% | 20,187 |
| 2025 | 77.0% | 80.9% | 20,073 |
Common 2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
Share of the 12,761 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 19.1% | 2,435 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 12.7% | 1,621 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.7% | 981 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 7.0% | 895 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.1% | 775 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Transporter in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Volkswagen Transporter before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Transporters, as a share of all 59,769 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.8% | 7,631 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.3% | 4,380 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.9% | 2,954 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 4.3% | 2,567 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 3.4% | 2,040 |
Questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2025, 77.0% of Transporters first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 30.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (26.9%) and tyres (23.1%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (19.1%).
How often does a 2018 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?
In 2025, 23.0% of first tests on Transporters first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 18.8% failed, and a further 4.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 12,761 of 59,769 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 12.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.9%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (4.3%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (3.4%).
Is a 2018 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 83.4% in 2021 to 77.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Transporter?
The numbers above cover every Transporter first used in 2018 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.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.