2013 Volkswagen Transporter 2.0L Diesel · V3 CAN

The 2013 Volkswagen Transporter passed its most recent MOT on 9 September 2025 at 152,475 miles, but the maintenance trend is not reassuring. The tester flagged a corroded offside rear brake pipe covered in grease or other material and a corroded exhaust outer skin, while the emissions test could not be completed due to a dirty probe or RPM pickup fault. These findings suggest the vehicle has spent recent years with only cursory upkeep rather than proactive servicing. The brake pipe defect is a recurring item, having appeared in the 2024 test at 144,103 miles in identical terms, meaning the corrosion has persisted for at least 12 months without proper remedial work. A corroded brake pipe is not a minor cosmetic issue; it represents a structural integrity concern within the hydraulic braking system that demands immediate inspection and likely replacement. The exhaust outer skin corrosion points to long-term exposure damage, common on high-mileage commercial vans, but still worth verifying for deeper structural compromise. The inability to obtain a clean emissions reading hints at either a poorly maintained engine or a faulty lambda sensor, catalytic converter, or ignition component, none of which should be ignored on a diesel of this age. The mileage pattern is broadly consistent with typical use for a 13-year-old van. Annual road tax and MOT records show approximately 11,700 miles per year, which aligns with a working commercial vehicle rather than a lightly used private purchase. There are no alarming gaps or sudden jumps in the recorded distances between tests. The 2022 test at 138,030 miles was entirely clean, but the following year the van failed at 141,083 miles with an oil leak, a worn rear brake disc, and a deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage dust cover. That anti-roll bar linkage dust cover failure indicates ingress of dirt into the ball joint, which accelerates wear and can lead to play or detachment if left unaddressed. The oil leak noted in both the failed and passed 2023 tests suggests a persistent weep or seep, possibly from a rocker cover gasket, turbo oil feed, or rear main seal, that has not been properly rectified. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underside and engine bay. The rear brake pipe corrosion needs close examination; if the pipe surface is pitted or flaking, replacement is mandatory before the vehicle is roadworthy. The rear brake disc wear flagged in 2023 may have warranted replacement by now, so checking disc thickness and condition is essential. The anti-roll bar linkage should be inspected for play, and the dust cover replaced if still deteriorated. The exhaust system, particularly the outer skin around the silencer and joints, should be checked for perforation and structural rust. The oil leak requires identification of its source; a minor rocker cover gasket weep is manageable, but a leaking turbo oil return line or rear main seal is a far costlier proposition. The emissions test failure also warrants a diagnostic scan and a check of the diesel particulate filter and EGR system. Overall, this Transporter has been kept running but not maintained to a high standard, and a thorough independent inspection is strongly advised before purchase.