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Volkswagen Malibu vs Volkswagen Transporter: reliability comparison

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

Volkswagen Malibu
65%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Volkswagen Transporter
73%
MOT pass rate · 355,535 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Malibu (65%) 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 Malibu Volkswagen Transporter
MOT pass rate 65% 73% ✓
MOT failure rate 35% 27% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.8 2.4 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 2%
Average mileage 205,653 mi 137,029 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 2 355,535

Most common faults

Volkswagen Malibu

  1. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  2. Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
  3. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  4. Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) O/S AND N/S
  5. Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))
  6. Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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 Malibu (65%) and Volkswagen Transporter (73%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Malibu 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.