2005 Volkswagen Transporter · 35,122 MOT tests
2005 Volkswagen Transporter reliability
2005 Volkswagen Transporters fail 43.7% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 26 Transporter years (35,122 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- 43.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 164,375
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 35,122
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (level)
- 2006 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Transporter
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21%
- Suspension19.3%
- Brakes16%
- Body, chassis and structure8.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.7%
- Tyres6.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.66%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Position lamp not working 4.11%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Registration plate lamp not working 3.64%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.55%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.49%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.29%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.33%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.25%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.11%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.17%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (5.58%)
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 2005 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
2005 Volkswagen Transporters fail 43.7% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 26 Transporter years (35,122 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Transporter MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (4.66% of tests), position lamp not working (4.11% of tests), registration plate lamp not working (3.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Volkswagen Transporter have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 Volkswagen Transporter shows 164,375 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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