2005 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
67,664 MOT tests on the 2005 Volkswagen Transporter are in this dataset, and 71.3% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and suspension (14.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 4,136 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.6% versus 17.1%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.5% 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 | 16.0% | 10,852 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 10,098 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 8,343 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 4,287 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 3,401 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.5% | 3,041 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 4,136 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 4,008 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,381 |
| 4 | Joints | 3,202 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 3,076 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2,993 |
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 | 38.5% | 26,042 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.2% | 25,178 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 15,428 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 14,036 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.7% | 8,622 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 8,514 |
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 | 228 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,428 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,948 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 8,238 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 12,840 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 40,934 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 67,353 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 310 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,725 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 13,858 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 13,652 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 13,430 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 12,999 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Transporter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 2005 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 67,664 2005 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2005 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 67,664 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.