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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTERs year 1981

Review the list of common VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLKSWAGEN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:44.74%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:5,550 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively504
Registration plate lamp issues498
Headlamp aim out of alignment491
Brake hose excessively deteriorated352
Brake pipe excessively corroded315
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|294
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|292
Horn not working |1.6.2a|252
Brakes imbalanced across an axle232
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|232
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|208
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|170
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort122
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|116
Registration plate issues105
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|103
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|98
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|98
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|98
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|96
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|96
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|81
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|80
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|75
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|72
Rear brake binding70
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|66
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|63
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|58
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|58
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|53
Rear brake application uneven52
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|47
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|46
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|46
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|44
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|44
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|43
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|43
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|42
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|41
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|40
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|39
Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|38
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|38
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|37
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|36
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|36
Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|36
Windscreen washer not working 35
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|33
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|33
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))32
Front brake application uneven32
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement32
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||31
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))30
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|30
Emissions not tested |7.0|30
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|30
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|29
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|29
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|29
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|28
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||28
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|27
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|27
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened27
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|27
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|26
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|26
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|26
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||25
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|25
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|25
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|25
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|24
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|24
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|23
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))23
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|23
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|23
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|23
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|22
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))22
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|21
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|21
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|21
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|21
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|20
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|20
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|20
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|20
Brake hose has insufficient room to move20
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|20
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|19
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|19
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|19
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|19
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|18
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|18
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|18
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured |2.4.G.1|18
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|18
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|18
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|17
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|17
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|17
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|17
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|17
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|16
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|16
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|16
Battery insecure |1.9.1|16
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|16
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|16
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|16
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|15
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|15
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|15
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||15
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|15
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|15
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|15
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|15
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured |2.4.G.1|15
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|15
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|15
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))14
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|14
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. |6.7.3|14
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|14
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|14
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|14
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|14
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|14
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|14
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||14
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|13
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|13
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|13
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))13
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))13
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|13
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|13
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||13
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|13
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|13
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))12
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|12
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|12
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|12
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|12
Windscreen wiper blade insecure12
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage |6.1.C.1|12
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|12
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|12
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|12
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|12
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|12
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|12
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|12
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|12
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))11
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))11
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|11
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|11
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|11
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))11
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|11
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|11
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|11
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))11
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|11
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|11
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|11
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|11
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|10
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak10
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|10
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|10
Offside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|10
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|10
Windscreen has damage10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|10
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))10
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement10
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|10
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|10
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|10
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure |8.1.1|10
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Rear Trailing arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|10
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|10
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|10
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|10
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|10
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|10

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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