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Volkswagen Transporter T5 (2003-2014) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Transporter T5 built around 2014: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Transporter T5 models built around 2014 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Transporter T5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Transporter T5 models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 27% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Transporter T5 models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Volkswagen Transporter T5
average reliability2003-2014VanDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 190,153 tests of Transporter models registered 2003-2014.

About 1 in 20 Transporter T5 MOTs (5.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 20,722 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Transporter T5 MOTs (5.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 20,722 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

T5 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
9,03223.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
20,72223.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
18,89824.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,08125.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
16,14826.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
14,12928.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
13,94930.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
18,65730.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
17,72331.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
14,68431.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
13,71831.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
10,38932.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5,02332.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

How the Transporter T5 compares

At each age below, see how the Transporter T5 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 265,585 tests across 18 Volkswagen models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
9,03223.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
20,72223.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
18,89824.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,08125.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
16,14826.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
14,12928.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
13,94930.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
18,65730.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
17,72331.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
14,68431.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
13,71831.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
10,38932.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5,02332.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other vans to compare

Other vans, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Transporter T5.

  1. 1

    Renault Trafic

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.7%
    Dangerous
    8.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Transporter T5 on these figures.

    9,771 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Peugeot Partner

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.5%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Transporter T5 on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,788 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

96%of all Volkswagen Transporter cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

27 recalls in all

6 of the 27 Transporter T5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Takata front airbag
  • 2ND row seat backrest may not latch correctly

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Transporter T5 cars have aged

How Transporter T5 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%79111315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (13,420 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (13,096 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (13,069 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (12,921 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (12,716 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (11,988 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (11,815 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (11,682 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (11,620 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (11,499 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (10,188 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (9,853 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (9,773 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (9,654 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (9,623 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (9,703 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (9,488 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (9,383 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (9,251 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (9,169 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (8,482 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (8,244 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (8,112 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (8,039 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (7,797 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (7,097 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (6,803 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (6,674 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (6,436 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.5% (6,261 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (11,284 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (10,874 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (10,768 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (10,564 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (10,130 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (11,606 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (11,173 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (10,733 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (10,399 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (10,153 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (9,582 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (9,096 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (8,798 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (8,541 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (8,234 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (8,486 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (8,165 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (7,926 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (7,693 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (7,316 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (7,278 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (7,074 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (6,676 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (6,424 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (6,091 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (5,948 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (5,590 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (5,434 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (5,302 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (5,023 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
T5 variants compared
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Transporters of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Transporter built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the T5 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.4%
    Advisory: 5,421Fail: 449 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.3%
    Advisory: 4,121Fail: 894 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    10.2%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.2%
    Advisory: 1,953Fail: 367 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.2%
    Advisory: 2,769Fail: 15 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 20,722 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Transporter T5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Volkswagen Transporter T5 (2003-2014) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 20,722 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 190,153 MOT tests on Volkswagen Transporters first registered between 2003-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.