1998 Volkswagen Transporter · 14,627 MOT tests
1998 Volkswagen Transporter reliability
1998 Volkswagen Transporters fail 45.3% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 26 Transporter years (14,627 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- 45.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 174,794
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 14,627
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 8.2% of tests fail here (42% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.5%
- Brakes17.4%
- Suspension17%
- Body, chassis and structure15.8%
- Steering8.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.94%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Horn not working 4.21%
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.79%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp aim set too low 3.78%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Position lamp not working 3.18%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 3.08%
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.15%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.21%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.95%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (11.79%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.97%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (6.6%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Transporter year
The full picture: Volkswagen Transporter reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Transporter, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
1998 Volkswagen Transporters fail 45.3% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 26 Transporter years (14,627 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.94% of tests), horn not working (4.21% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Volkswagen Transporter have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Volkswagen Transporter shows 174,794 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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