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Volkswagen A variant vs Volkswagen Transporter: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Volkswagen A variant
50%
MOT pass rate · 42 vehicles
Volkswagen Transporter
73%
MOT pass rate · 355,535 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen A variant (50%) and Volkswagen Transporter (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volkswagen A variant Volkswagen Transporter
MOT pass rate 50% 73% ✓
MOT failure rate 50% 27% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 3.2 2.4 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 2%
Average mileage 53,382 mi 137,029 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 42 355,535

Most common faults

Volkswagen A variant

  1. Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
  2. Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
  3. Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
  4. Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
  5. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)
  6. Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Volkswagen Transporter

  1. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen A variant (50%) and Volkswagen Transporter (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen A variant report Full Volkswagen Transporter report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.