1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER2.5L Diesel
Considering this 1997 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER? It's a Diesel with a 2459cc engine showing 115,493 miles. MOT is not recorded and it's not currently taxed. View the full DVLA history below.
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
- Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 2459cc
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
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Full MOT History
Checking the history for this 1997 Volkswagen Transporter (R415 DHU), we found 5 MOT results in the period of December 2021 to May 2024.
The vehicle has achieved an overall 60% pass rate, with 3 passes and 2 failures recorded. While not perfect, the history shows a relatively typical pattern of MOT passes and fails.
The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Lighting (11 issues), Bodywork (5 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (4 issues). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.
There are 21 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.
A total of 9 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural”; “Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structura”; “Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution with this vehicle. While the mileage is reasonable for its age, the recurring history of structural corrosion and recent MOT failures makes it a high-risk purchase for anyone seeking a reliable daily driver.
The primary concern for this Transporter is structural integrity. The MOT records repeatedly note 'excessive corrosion' on the offside front lower suspension component mountings and inner sills. You must have a specialist perform a thorough underside inspection to determine if the rust has progressed beyond surface level into what would require expensive welding repairs to pass future MOTs.
Beyond the chassis, check the power steering system. The 2024 records noted seepage in both the pump and hoses, which can lead to sudden failure if left ignored. Additionally, given the emissions failure in 2024, ensure the engine is running smoothly without excessive blue or black smoke, as injector or turbo issues are common on these older 2.5 engines.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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