1998 Volkswagen Transporter 1.9L Diesel · R213 AWG
1998 Volkswagen Transporter (1.9L, diesel). First registered 29 Jun 1998. Recorded mileage 177,185 miles. MOT valid until 02 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Jan 2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 02 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jan 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 177,185 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 1.9L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R213 AWG Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 12/06/2026
- 177,185 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring bodywork & corrosion items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R213 AWG MOT History
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 (R213 AWG) between February 2023 and June 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 12 June 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: Bodywork (9 issues), Brakes (8 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 15 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 Floor excessively deteriorated Hole above backbox (6.2.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Integral body structure is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced Bar on chassis (6.1.1 ”; “Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Crashbar ”.
R213 AWG Mileage History
- 28/02/2023160,378 mi
- 09/02/2024165,349 mi+4,971 mi
- 28/05/2025168,079 mi+2,730 mi
- 04/07/2025168,174 mi+95 mi
- 12/06/2026177,185 mi+9,011 mi
Average of roughly 5,115 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. This vehic
The primary concern with this vehicle is the extent of previous rust. You must verify the quality of the welding and repairs carried out following the May 2025 failure, which cited significantly reduced structural rigidity in the sills, arches, and crashbar. Ask for invoices detailing these repairs to ensure they were performed professionally rather than as temporary patches.
Additionally, the persistent mentions of oil and coolant leaks across multiple MOT tests suggest ongoing engine or seal issues. Negotiate the price based on the likely need for new brake discs, as the June 2026 test noted both front and rear discs as worn, pitted, or scored.
Equipped with a 1896cc diesel engine, this Transporter should offer reasonable fuel economy for its age, though emissions standards will be outdated. Vehicle tax will fall under the older pre-2001 diesel brackets, and insurance costs will vary depending on the user's profile and the vehicle's current use case.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average for this model. The recurring advisories for corrosion and fluid leaks indicate that the vehicle requires frequent attention to remain roadworthy, which will increase the annual upkeep budget.
Perform a thorough underside inspection, specifically focusing on the nearside and offside sills, the rear floor above the backbox, and the rear crashbar where structural failures were previously recorded. Check for fresh welding or evidence of filler used to mask rust.
Inspect the engine bay and underside for active oil and coolant leaks, as these were noted in the 2025 and 2026 tests. Finally, examine the brake discs for pitting and scoring and check the condition of the brake pipes, which were flagged as corroded in early 2024.
This 1998 red Volkswagen Transporter has recorded 177,185 miles. The MOT history is dominated by a major failure in May 2025 involving extensive structural corrosion to the sills, floor, and chassis. While it has since passed its tests, the most recent June 2026 record still lists corrosion and fluid leaks as advisories.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this model, but this specific vehicle shows significant age-related structural degradation.
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
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