1987 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER2.1L Petrol

The Volkswagen Transporter presents as roadworthy following its most recent MOT pass on 16 June 2025 at 174,982 miles, with the maintenance trend appearing stable across the recorded period. The only blemish is a failed test on 11 June 2025 at 174,979 miles, yet the tester logged no defects, indicating a clerical or presentation issue rather than a mechanical fault. Prior to that, the vehicle passed cleanly on 3 July 2024 at 172,792 miles and again on 13 July 2023 at 171,502 miles, showing no advisories for suspension bushes, brake discs, corrosion, or exhaust emissions across three consecutive years. At roughly 39 years old, the van shows 174,982 recorded miles, equating to about 4,487 miles per year, which is low for a 1987 commercial vehicle. The records reveal gentle annual use: only 1,290 miles accrued between July 2023 and July 2024, then 2,190 miles to June 2025. Such low accumulation suggests extended standing periods, which on a vehicle of this age often masks perished rubber components and stagnant brake calipers rather than high-mileage drivetrain wear. The clean test history gives no evidence of rapid accumulation or neglected consumables like tyres and wiper blades. A buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of structural integrity given the transporter's age, focusing on chassis outriggers, sills, and suspension mounting points for hidden corrosion the annual tests did not flag. The unexplained failure on 11 June 2025 with zero defects warrants confirmation that the DVSA entry reflects administrative error and not a withheld roadworthiness concern. Verify the condition of coil springs, flexible brake hoses, and steering joints, as these degrade with time regardless of the low 4,487 annual miles.