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Volkswagen TRANSPORTER - 1997

428.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen TRANSPORTER, model year 1997. Sample size: 3,040 cars, 6,969 tests and 29,882 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 3,040 cars

The 1997 Volkswagen Transporter has a higher overall defect rate, with 429 defects per 100 vehicles, compared to the average of 335 per 100 for cars of the same year, indicating a 28% increase in issues. Notably, the Transporter shows significantly higher defect rates in the brake and steering categories, with defects at 222 and 42 per 100 respectively, both exceeding their average counterparts by over 54%. Additionally, while the model performs better in other areas such as visibility and electrical systems, the overall trend reveals a concerning increase in defects as mileage rises, especially after reaching 124,000 miles.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 3,040 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
▼ 57.6% worse
222.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▼ 51.5% worse
41.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • 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
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▼ 25.8% worse
31.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 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
▼ 27.6% worse
83.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 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
  • An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 0.1% better
250.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
Body/Structure
▼ 70.0% worse
142.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 13.6% worse
25.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 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
  • Audible warning:
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A seat belt:
Other
▲ 1.5% better
60.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
  • Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour to an extent likely to obscure the vision of other road users
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions test unable to be completed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 587 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)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,414
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,700
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,630
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,599
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,380
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,153
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,146
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,038
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 860
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 660

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 1,038
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 660
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 373
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 303
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 292
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 261
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 260
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 219
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 219
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 200