VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER1998 · 1.9L Diesel

The vehicle currently fails the roadworthiness standard following the August 2025 MOT test at 351,483 miles, where the tester issued a failure with no defects formally recorded, an irregular outcome that demands scrutiny. Prior to this, the maintenance trend appeared stable, with passes recorded at the September 2024 test (350,342 miles), April 2023 (349,079 miles), April 2022 (347,499 miles), and March 2020 (344,823 miles), all showing clean sheets with no advisories logged. The abrupt failure after four consecutive clears suggests either a documentation anomaly or a sudden fault undetected in earlier tests. At roughly 28 years old, the Transporter shows 351,483 recorded miles, equating to about 12,553 miles per year, a high but not extreme figure for a commercial van. The records expose a notable gap between the March 2020 test at 344,823 miles and the April 2022 pass at 347,499 miles, implying either minimal use or a lapse in testing during that period. From 2022 onward, annual accumulation stayed low at around 1,500 to 1,800 miles per year, pointing to light recent use rather than fleet-level punishment. A buyer must verify the August 2025 failure cause in person, since the absence of listed defects leaves the reason ambiguous and may conceal issues such as brake imbalance, emissions breach, or structural corrosion. Given the age and 351k mileage, inspect suspension bushes, coil springs, and subframe integrity for fatigue and rust, particularly around chassis mounting points. Check brake discs and calipers for binding or wear, and confirm the exhaust system and drivetrain show no leaks or excessive play before purchase.