2001 Volkswagen Lt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,020 MOT tests, the 2001 Volkswagen Lt recorded a 67.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 5.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.7% of tests against 20.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp alone was recorded 142 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 39.3% in the 0-30k band and 33.9% in the 150k+ band, a 5.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.7% | 252 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 210 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.9% | 142 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 127 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 70 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 142 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 108 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 100 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 93 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 77 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 76 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.0% | 418 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 338 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.4% | 249 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.6% | 241 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.6% | 190 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.1% | 185 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 56 | 39.3% |
| 30-60k | 41 | 31.7% |
| 60-90k | 114 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 147 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 197 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 442 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 982 | 32.4% |
| Petrol | 38 | 44.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 231 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 224 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 196 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 199 | 35.2% |
| 2025 | 170 | 32.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Lt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 24.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (24.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (13.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Volkswagen Lts pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 1,020 2001 Volkswagen Lt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Volkswagen Lt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.7% of tests, followed by brakes (20.6%).
Does the 2001 Lt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 39.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,020 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.