1982 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,198 MOT tests, the 1982 Volkswagen Transporter recorded a 68.2% pass rate. Against vans of a similar age (29.5% fail rate), the 1982 Transporter comes out 2.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and suspension (15.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, washers and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 153 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1982 Transporter fails 32.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 29.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 209 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 185 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 159 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.2% | 122 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 116 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 99 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 153 |
| 2 | Washers | 84 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 79 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 75 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 72 |
| 6 | Wipers | 69 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.8% | 453 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.0% | 360 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 289 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.9% | 190 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 152 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 133 |
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 | 324 | 32.7% |
| 30-60k | 315 | 32.4% |
| 60-90k | 324 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 127 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 29.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 957 | 31.9% |
| Diesel | 241 | 31.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 379 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 409 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 194 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 117 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 99 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 1982 Transporter
On a 1982 Transporter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.4% 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 (13.3% 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
How many 1982 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 1,198 1982 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1982 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.4%).
Does the 1982 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.7% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,198 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.