Volkswagen Transporter (2018)
2018 Volkswagen Transporter
CarHunch analysed 22,716 real MOT records for the 2018 Volkswagen Transporter. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Volkswagen Transporter passes its MOT first time at 84.5%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, suggesting decent reliability across this cohort of over 22,000 vehicles. However, one in five of these vans will have suffered a dangerous defect during their MOT history—a concern worth factoring into your purchase decision, especially if you're relying on the van for business.
At 52,000 miles median mileage, these Transporters are running reasonably low for their age, which helps explain the solid pass rate; the average van picks up just under one failure per test, plus nearly five advisories, indicating minor wear rather than serious structural problems. Before buying, ask the seller for full MOT history and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension and brake components, where defects tend to cluster on this model.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- ⚠️ 20% 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
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 (98%) | 22,151 | 84.5% | 0.99 |
| Petrol (2%) | 562 | 87.8% | 0.71 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 1 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 71.4% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Transporter vehicles fall between 35,967 and 76,046 miles.
2018 Volkswagen Transporter — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 21,441 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 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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31.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
30.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
22.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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19.8%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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19.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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17.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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16.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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15%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.