2002 Volkswagen Transporter 2.5L Diesel · LN51 NFX

The MOT history for this Transporter reveals a pattern of recurring mechanical and structural issues that require close attention. The most recent test on January 23 2026 at 229,649 miles passed, but it highlighted significant concerns including excessive exhaust smoke, corroded rear coil springs, and a severely deteriorated offside front outer drive shaft boot. These issues followed a failure just one day prior at 229,647 miles, where the vehicle also failed due to a major front exhaust leak, insecure headlamps, and worn suspension ball joints. The persistence of the exhaust leak and smoke issues suggests that while the vehicle is currently legal, the engine and exhaust system are under stress. The vehicle has covered 229,649 miles over approximately 24 years, averaging roughly 9,500 miles per year. This usage is typical for a commercial vehicle of this age. The record shows consistent annual testing, with mileage increasing of approximately 7,000 to 9,000 miles between tests. However, the frequency of failures in 2024, 2025, and 2026 indicates that maintenance is often reactive rather than proactive, with faults being addressed only when necessary to pass inspection. Structural integrity and suspension components are primary areas of concern. In January 2024, the vehicle failed for excessive corrosion on the offside rear suspension mounting, significantly reducing the structural strength of the sill. While this was noted as less severe in 2022, the progression to a structural failure indicates a worsening rust issue on the chassis. The steering system has also shown recurring faults, including play in steering rack inner joints and loose steering columns across multiple years. A buyer should thoroughly inspect the sills and mounting points for further decay, as the recorded history shows a trend of ongoing corrosion and mechanical wear.