Volkswagen Tr Porter MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 10 model years and 1,951 tests, the Volkswagen Tr Porter passes its MOT 81.3% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail at 19.1%, so the Tr Porter sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.5%) and suspension (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 77 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.9% versus 4.9%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Tr Porter model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 32 | 81.3% | 18.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 820 | 81.3% | 18.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2014 | 950 | 81.6% | 18.4% | Suspension |
| 2015 | 121 | 78.5% | 21.5% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 147 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 127 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.6% | 110 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.1% | 100 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 60 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.8% | 35 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 30 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 77 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 66 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 4 | Washers | 48 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 40 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 39 |
| 7 | Track rod end | 38 |
| 8 | Anti-lock braking system | 36 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.7% | 403 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.4% | 378 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.3% | 317 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 218 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.5% | 146 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 132 |
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 | 41 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 304 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 499 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 468 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 355 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 284 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 387 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 397 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 405 | 20.3% |
| 2024 | 378 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 384 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Tr Porter
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.5% 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.
- Brakes (5.6% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Tr Porter?
81.3% of the 1,951 Volkswagen Tr Porter MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 18.7% fail rate, across model years 2006–2015.
What does the Volkswagen Tr Porter most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.5% of tests, then suspension (6.5%).
How much does mileage affect Tr Porter MOT results?
Fail rates run at 4.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 23.9% for 150k+, a 19.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,951 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.