1986 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
4,901 MOT tests on the 1986 Volkswagen Transporter are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 28.3%, so the 1986 Transporter sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.2% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 612 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1986 Transporter fails 28.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 28.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.1 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.7% of the time against 28.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.5% in 2021 to 25.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 793 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 593 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 505 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 404 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 379 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 237 |
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 | 612 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 302 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 269 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 243 |
| 5 | Wipers | 236 |
| 6 | Washers | 233 |
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 | 35.7% | 1,751 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.9% | 1,464 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 806 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.0% | 784 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 651 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 513 |
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 | 1,143 | 28.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,120 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 995 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 669 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 350 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 611 | 28.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,651 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 1,250 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,000 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 1,070 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 1,031 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 935 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 865 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 1986 Transporter
On a 1986 Transporter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.1% 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 (10.3% 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 1986 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 4,901 1986 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1986 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.1%).
Does the 1986 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,901 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.