2003 Volkswagen Transporter · 24,130 MOT tests
2003 Volkswagen Transporter reliability
2003 Volkswagen Transporters fail 45.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 26 Transporter years (24,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- 45.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 168,050
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 24,130
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 9.1% of tests fail here (54% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 29% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Transporter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.5%
- Suspension16.4%
- Brakes16.3%
- Body, chassis and structure12%
- Steering9.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%
- Tyres5.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.12%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rear fog lamp not working 4.04%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.79%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.71%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.41%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.92%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.69%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.59%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.07%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.44%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (9.95%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (6.56%)
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 2003 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
2003 Volkswagen Transporters fail 45.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 26 Transporter years (24,130 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Transporter MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.12% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (4.04% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volkswagen Transporter have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 Volkswagen Transporter shows 168,050 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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