Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 (2015-2024) reliability
Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 built around 2018: about average at the MOT
Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.
Looking at a Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Key figure
19% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.
Most common issue
The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.
Based on 187,280 tests of Transporter models registered 2015-2024.
About 1 in 6 diesel Transporter cars registered in 2022 (17%) failed their first MOT.
Based on 13,710 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).
About 1 in 25 Transporter T6/T6.1 MOTs (3.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.
Based on 28,254 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 25 Transporter T6/T6.1 MOTs (4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).
Based on 28,254 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.
T6/T6.1 fail rate by age
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 10 years old.
How the Transporter T6/T6.1 compares
At each age below, see how the Transporter T6/T6.1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.
Based on 266,306 tests across 19 Volkswagen models, built around 2018 (7 years old).
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 pads
High priorityAsk when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.
Brake discs
High priorityAsk for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.
Tyres
Worth checkingCheck tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
Suspension bushes and joints
Worth checkingListen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.
Vehicle-specific check
Worth checkingCheck 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 T6/T6.1.
- 1
Renault Trafic
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 27.6%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 5.7%
- Dangerous
- 5.9%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 89%
No clear edge over the Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 on these figures.
13,290 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 2
Peugeot Partner
Same body type, tested at the same age
- Fail rate
- 28.2%
- Fail, no pass in 3 days
- 4.8%
- Dangerous
- 6.2%
- Still registered at 10 years
- 91%
No clear edge over the Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 on these figures.
4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.
20,187 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 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
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 all7 of the 27 Transporter T6/T6.1 recalls cover cars built in these years.
- 1 Critical
- 6 more
Top concerns
- Side airbag of front left seat may not deploy correctly in collision & may have some passenger collision protection miss
- Takata front airbag
- Possibility of humidity ingress in the bowden cables of the doors
For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.
What has gone wrong on Transporter T6/T6.1 cars built around 2018
The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,661 cars.
How Transporter T6/T6.1 cars have aged
How Transporter T6/T6.1 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.
Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.
How each part holds up as T6/T6.1 cars age
How each part holds up as T6/T6.1 cars age
The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.
| Part of the car | 5 years | 6 years | 7 years | 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8% | 14% | 19% | 28% |
| Brakes | 8% | 8% | 12% | 16% |
| Emissions | 9% | 9% | 15% | 17% |
| Tyres | 13% | 16% | 21% | 22% |
| Lighting | 9% | 9% | 11% | 13% |
| Drivetrain | 3% | No figure | 3% | 2% |
| Steering | 3% | 2% | No figure | No figure |
| Corrosion | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 64 to 1,788 cars at each age.
T6/T6.1 variants compared
Transporter T6/T6.1 variants built around 2018
The fail rate for each Transporter T6/T6.1 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.
Diesel
- TRANSPORTER19.4%27,701 tests
Petrol
- TRANSPORTER16.5%466 tests
Most common issues on Volkswagen Transporters of this age
This list covers every Volkswagen Transporter built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the T6/T6.1 on its own.
Most common advisories and fails
In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one
- 115.2%Advisory
Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
- 28.9%Advisory
Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much
- 38.2%Advisory
Brake pads wearing thin
- 46.4%Advisory
Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
- 56.1%Advisory
Oil leak, but not excessive
Based on 28,254 tests
Looking at a Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Transporter T6/T6.1 (2015-2024) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 28,254 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.