2012 Volkswagen Transporter · 42,218 MOT tests
2012 Volkswagen Transporter reliability
2012 Volkswagen Transporters fail 29.7% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 26 Transporter years (42,218 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- 29.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Transporters: 31.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 110,822
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 42,218
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 1.6% of tests fail here (39% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 49% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Transporter
Fail rate by area
- Suspension10.9%
- Lights and electrics9.9%
- Brakes6.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%
- Tyres5.5%
- Body, chassis and structure2.6%
- Steering2.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.34%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.06%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.98%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Registration plate lamp not working 1.92%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.79%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.75%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.49%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.45%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.28%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.23%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (4.72%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (3.92%)
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 2012 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
2012 Volkswagen Transporters fail 29.7% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 26 Transporter years (42,218 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Transporter MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (3.34% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (2.06% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.98% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Volkswagen Transporter have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Volkswagen Transporter shows 110,822 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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