1996 Volkswagen Transporter 2.5L Petrol · P190 DUD

The Volkswagen Transporter passed its most recent MOT on 12 December 2024 at 148,703 miles with no defects recorded, and the maintenance trend appears stable given the clean result. However, the preceding months show a pattern of test failures without recorded defects: the vehicle failed on 25 November 2024 and again on 11 November 2024 at near-identical mileages, then failed on 18 August 2023 at 145,084 miles before passing on 4 September 2023. These repeated failures with no listed faults suggest administrative or presentation issues at the testing station rather than resolved mechanical faults, though the buyer should treat them as a minor caution flag. The recorded mileage of 148,703 against a 1996 build date equates to roughly 4,957 miles per year, which is low for a commercial van of this age. The odometer moved only 3,612 miles between the September 2023 test at 145,091 miles and the December 2024 pass at 148,703 miles. Such limited annual use over three decades often indicates long stationary periods, which raise the risk of perished rubber components, seized brake calipers, and corrosion on structural members rather than high-mileage drivetrain fatigue. The MOT record itself flags no advisories on suspension bushes, brake discs, exhaust emissions, or structural integrity across any entry. The absence of defects in the December 2024 pass is a positive signal for current roadworthiness. Given the vehicle's age and low usage, a buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of the underbody for rust, check the condition of tyres that may have aged rather than worn, and verify the brakes are not binding after standing. The two failed tests in November 2024 at 148,703 and 148,414 miles with no defects recorded point to either documentation errors or non-mechanical rejection reasons such as number plate or lighting presentation. Previous ownership appears to have kept the van lightly used and presumably garaged, but the sparse history offers little evidence of proactive maintenance beyond statutory testing.