2006 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
76,570 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Transporter are in this dataset, and 71.7% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 2006 Transporter comes out 1.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) and suspension (14.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and joints — pins and bushes alone was recorded 4,577 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.3% versus 16.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 11,634 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 11,242 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 8,918 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 5,080 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 4,932 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 3,550 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 4,577 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4,186 |
| 3 | Joints | 3,962 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 3,417 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,412 |
| 6 | Washers | 3,392 |
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 | 36.1% | 27,619 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.8% | 27,412 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.0% | 17,635 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 15,353 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.0% | 11,483 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 8,776 |
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 | 356 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,651 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,040 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 10,714 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 15,813 | 28.3% |
| 150k+ | 42,946 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 76,114 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 453 | 23.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,620 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 15,473 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 15,410 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 15,203 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 14,864 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Transporter
On a 2006 Transporter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (11.7% 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 2006 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 76,570 2006 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2006 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 76,570 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.