Volkswagen

Volkswagen Tr Porter (2013)

148 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.8% first-time pass rate

2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter

CarHunch analysed 148 real MOT records for the 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2013 VW T-Porter's first-time pass rate of 81.8% is fractionally above the UK average of 80%, which is reassuring—but the genuinely concerning finding is that 45.3% of these vans have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds for a vehicle type often used commercially. This puts potential buyers on notice that while baseline reliability is acceptable, serious safety issues are a real risk with this cohort.

At around 82,500 miles median, these vans show typical wear for their age, yet they're accumulating an average of 2.32 failures and nearly 15 advisories per test, suggesting incremental deterioration is the norm rather than the exception. Before purchasing, obtain a full service history and have any candidate van inspected by a VW specialist for brake and suspension integrity, given the dangerous defect prevalence.

We have limited data for the 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
81.8%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
45.3%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
2.32
Over 11.8 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
82k
Middle half: 58k–109k
For context

These stats describe 148 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 148 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 48.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 37.1%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Oil leak, but not excessive
Brake wear 26.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Lighting 16.9%
Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources · Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources · Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 148 Volkswagen Tr Porter cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter

Based on MOT data from 148 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

82,472
typical
58,143
low mileage
108,838
high mileage

Half of all 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter vehicles fall between 58,143 and 108,838 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 58,143 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
58,143–108,838 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porters sit.
Over 146,931 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter — Still on the Road

Almost all 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porters are still on the road.

Strong survival — 137 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

132 137 2016 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.32
Avg failures per vehicle
14.9
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Volkswagen Tr Porter: All Tr Porter years → Which year to buy? →
2014

Or browse all models: Volkswagen →

Volkswagen logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Volkswagen Tr Porter stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing