Volkswagen Transporter (2013)
2013 Volkswagen Transporter
CarHunch analysed 15,892 real MOT records for the 2013 Volkswagen Transporter. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 Volkswagen Transporter's 80.8% first-time pass rate is marginally above the UK average, but the headline concern is that 38.3% of these vans have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—nearly double the typical rate—making safety checks essential before purchase. This is overwhelmingly a diesel story, with 15,877 of 15,892 vehicles in the dataset running on diesel, and that powertrain shows no separate weakness.
At nearly 90,000 miles on average, these vans have been worked fairly hard, yet they're averaging 2.49 failures per test, suggesting the mechanical core is reasonably solid; the real issue is the advisory count at 15.1 per vehicle, pointing to accumulated wear on trim, lighting, and minor systems rather than catastrophic failures. Before buying one, inspect the service history carefully and budget for suspension, brake hose, and wiring remediation—these are the wear items that rack up advisories on older Transporters.
What to check before buying a 2013 Volkswagen Transporter
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.
- ⚠️ 38.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 15,877 | 80.8% | 2.49 |
| Petrol (0%) | 13 | 73.2% | 3.31 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 2 |
| Electric Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 Volkswagen Transporter 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 2013 Volkswagen Transporter vehicles fall between 61,499 and 112,481 miles.
2013 Volkswagen Transporter — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14,697 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2013 Volkswagen Transporter
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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42.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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41.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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29.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.3%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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28.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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25.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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25%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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20.5%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Transporter?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.