Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid

1998 Volkswagen Transporter 2.4L Diesel · S91 BEU

S91 BEU

1998 Volkswagen Transporter (2.4L, diesel). First registered 01/08/1998. Recorded mileage 142,054 miles. MOT valid until 11/05/2027. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER
Year / Origin
1998 · Glasgow
MOT Status
Valid until 11/05/2027
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
142,054 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
Diesel · 2.4L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 11/05/2027
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Diesel
Year
1998
Engine
2370cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 13th May 2026 at 142,054 miles, with advisories for corroded suspension components, defective wiper blades, and minor electrical issues. The maintenance trend is stable, with recurring advisories for corrosion, brake imbalance, and electrical components, though no critical failures have been recorded in the past three years. The 2024 April test failure, however, highlights a serious structural issue with a fractured rear coil spring and excessive play in the front track rod end ball joint, indicating a potential worsening trend in the suspension and braking systems. The vehicle's mileage pattern is unusually low for its age, averaging just over 5,000 miles per year since 1998. The most recent test at 142,054 miles shows a slight increase from the 2025 test at 141,827 miles, suggesting a return to heavier use after a period of inactivity. The 2024 April failure at 141,728 miles occurred just 10 days before the May test, indicating a rapid mileage accumulation that may have contributed to the suspension and brake issues. The lack of tests between 2024 and 2026 suggests long periods of inactivity, which could have allowed corrosion and other consumable wear to progress undetected. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the rear suspension, particularly the coil springs and shock mounts, which have shown recurring corrosion and a fractured spring in 2024. The front suspension components, including the track rod end ball joint and steering rack, also require close examination due to excessive play and corrosion advisories. The braking system has consistently shown imbalance, suggesting a need for professional inspection and potential adjustment or repair. The electrical components, such as the headlamps, wipers, and registration plate lamps, have also shown recurring defects, indicating a need for thorough testing and replacement if necessary. The vehicle's low mileage and recent history of inactivity suggest that basic maintenance, such as fluid checks and consumable replacements, may have been neglected.

S91 BEU Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 13/05/2026
  • 142,054 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (8 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
80
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

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.

✓ Valid MOT
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for S91BEU

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

S91 BEU Mileage History

  1. 02/12/2022129,547 mi
  2. 30/04/2024141,728 mi+12,181 mi
  3. 03/05/2024141,738 mi+10 mi
  4. 23/04/2025141,827 mi+89 mi
  5. 13/05/2026142,054 mi+227 mi

Average of roughly 3,632 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

S91 BEU MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Jul 2026, 02:00
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Volkswagen Transporter (S91 BEU) between December 2022 and May 2026.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 13 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (8 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Suspension (6 issues), Steering (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 21 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Upper Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”; “Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))”; “Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
42/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,600
Mileage
At 142,054 miles, the mileage is conside...

Our Verdict

Proceed with significant caution. While the vehicle has a long history, the recurring MOT advisories regarding structural corrosion and braking imbalances suggest a van that is beginning to succumb to its age.

Given the age and the specific MOT history of S91BEU, your primary focus should be on structural integrity. The front sub-frame and rear shock mountings have been flagged for corrosion in 2024, 2025, and 2026; you should have a professional mechanic assess whether these areas are nearing a failure point. Check for a comprehensive service history, specifically looking for evidence of brake system overhauls, as the vehicle has repeatedly struggled with brake imbalance.

Negotiate the price based on the inevitable need for rust remediation and the potential for steering rack work, as play in the inner joints was a recurring failure point. Ensure all electricals are functioning, as the vehicle has a history of failed registration and position lamps.

Running costs for this 2.4L diesel will be higher than modern equivalents. You can expect modest fuel economy typical of late-90s diesel engines, though tax and insurance should be relatively low due to the vehicle's age and commercial classification.

Maintenance will be the primary expense. With repeated advisories for corrosion and braking issues, annual upkeep is likely to be higher than average to keep the vehicle roadworthy. Estimated annual costs will be driven by preventative rust treatment and frequent suspension/brake checks.

Carefully inspect the front sub-frame and the rear upper suspension mounting areas. These have been highlighted in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 MOTs as corroded. While currently listed as 'not seriously weakened', this is a progressive issue that requires close monitoring.

Test the braking feel and check for any pulling under deceleration, referencing the 'imbalanced' brake reports from 2024 and 2025. Additionally, check the steering for any looseness or 'play', as the steering rack inner joints were a cause for failure in 2022 and 2025. Finally, inspect the tyres for perishing, following the 2024 failure for cracked rear tyres.

This 1998 pink Volkswagen Transporter has covered 142,054 miles over nearly three decades. The MOT history reveals a pattern of recurring issues, specifically with the front sub-frame and suspension mountings, which have been flagged as corroded across multiple years. While it has passed its most recent tests, the frequency of 'just met' braking requirements and steering play indicates a vehicle requiring constant maintenance.

Aggregate data is unavailable, but this specific vehicle shows typical age-related wear for a 28-year-old van, particularly regarding chassis corrosion.

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

Plate Neighbors

Batch Registration Neighbors (S91B Series)

Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as S91BEU.

View all S91B series →