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Volkswagen TRANSPORTER - 1989

328.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1989 is 252.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen TRANSPORTER, model year 1989. Sample size: 1,229 cars, 2,374 tests and 7,792 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,229 cars

The 1989 Volkswagen Transporter has a significantly higher overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 328 defects per 100 vehicles, representing a 31.7% increase over the average of 249 defects per 100. Notably, the Transporter shows much higher rates of defects in critical areas such as brakes (146% vs. 97%), visibility (32% vs. 22%), and wheels, suspensions, and axles (248% vs. 165%). Mileage trends indicate a consistent defect rate across different mileage brackets, with the highest rates in lower mileage categories. Overall, while tyre wear is common, this model stands out particularly for its challenges in safety-related areas.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,229 cars

More model years for Volkswagen TRANSPORTER

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Other models from Volkswagen

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 50.4% worse
146.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 97.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 12.3% better
22.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.1 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
Visibility
▼ 45.5% worse
32.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.0 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 4.7% better
58.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.4 / 100 tests
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 49.8% worse
248.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 165.6 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▼ 30.0% worse
80.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.7 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 11.4% worse
20.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 18.5 / 100 tests
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt:
  • Audible warning:
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
Other
▲ 10.5% better
47.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.1 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 488 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 821
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 485
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 425
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 385
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 369
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 352
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 214
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 200
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 199
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 191

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 200
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 103
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 93
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 92
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 87
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 79
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 65
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 60
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 58