2010 Volkswagen Transporter 2.0L Diesel · MV60 AUE

Running a high-mileage 1.9-litre diesel Transporter is not cheap. Fuel economy typically sits in the 32-38 mpg range depending on load and driving style, and at 170,000 miles fuel consumption is likely to have worsened from the factory figure. Road tax falls into a higher bracket for a diesel of this displacement and age, and insurance is generally in a moderate-to-high group for a panel van of this size. Maintenance costs will be the biggest variable — expect wear items like brakes, tyres and suspension components to require attention, and budget for the possibility of larger jobs such as clutch, DMF or injector work. An annual running cost of roughly £1,400-£1,900 is a realistic estimate, and that assumes no major repairs are needed.

Because both MOT failures were recorded with no defect notes, the inspection list is more important than usual. Start with a thorough underbody check for corrosion, as T5 Transporters from 2010 are now old enough to show significant rust on sills, arches and cross members. Inspect the 1.9 TDI engine for oil leaks around the cam chain area, check the turbo for play and listen for any whistles or rattles on start-up. Examine the clutch for slip and the gearbox for synchro wear, particularly on the early T5 5-speed unit. Finally, check the rear beam and CV joints, as well as the prop shaft for wear, all of which are common failure areas on vans of this age and mileage. A diagnostic scan for historic fault codes is strongly recommended.