Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb (2002)
2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb
CarHunch analysed 138 real MOT records for the 2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2002 Transporter TDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 26.1%—a stark 54 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—making it one of the least reliable vehicles of its age on the road. The complete absence of dangerous defects is reassuring, but the high failure rate signals that these vans require serious mechanical attention before they'll pass testing.
At 159,000 median miles, these Transporters have been genuinely worked hard, and the 0.72 average failures per vehicle reflects the cumulative toll of age and use. If you're considering one, budget for pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist and expect to spend money on repairs immediately after purchase rather than treating the MOT pass as a green light.
What to check before buying a 2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 136 | 25.5% | 0.68 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) | 2 | 66.3% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb vehicles fall between 109,041 and 190,198 miles.
2002 Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Volkswagen Transporter TDI Swb?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.