Volkswagen Transporter known problems and what to check
What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Transporter, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides and what to check before you buy one.
The 2002 Volkswagen Transporter
Too few Volkswagen Transporter cars first registered in 2002 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen Transporter as a whole.
What to check on a 2002 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001199919951994
What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Transporter?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · All engines
Fire-risk and handbrake recalls
Recalls covered a fuel pipe and fuel pump cover bolts that could cause a fire, a handbrake that could release by itself (over 8,000 vans), a steering rack that could come loose, second-row seat backrests and cooling fan wiring.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Cars registered 2016–2024 · All engines
Fuel hose and airbag recalls
A large number were recalled for faulty fuel hoses, and others for passenger airbags, tyres, child locks and door cables that could freeze.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · Diesel
Blocked EGR valve
A blocked EGR valve causes stalling, judder and hunting revs. The fix is a new EGR valve and cooler.
At the viewing: Let it idle and listen for uneven revs, and check for warning lights.
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · All engines
Oil leak between engine and gearbox
Badly threaded flywheel bolt holes can let oil leak where the engine meets the gearbox. Fixing it means taking the gearbox off.
At the viewing: Look under the van between the engine and gearbox for oil.
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · All engines
Hard starting (camshaft sensor)
A failing camshaft position sensor can make it hard to start.
At the viewing: Start it from cold.
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · Diesel
Exhaust whistle or fumes in the cab
A failed exhaust manifold gasket causes a whistle and can let fumes into the cab.
At the viewing: Listen for a whistle under load and sniff for fumes.
- Cars registered 2016–2024 · All engines
Squealing auxiliary belt
A failing auxiliary belt squeals, and if it breaks it can take out the power steering and air con and damage the pump and alternator pulleys.
At the viewing: Listen at start-up and look at the belt for cracks.
Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)
- Cars registered 2016–2024 · All engines
ABS and ESP warning lights
Dirt in the wheel bearings can upset the wheel-speed sensors and bring on ABS and ESP warnings.
At the viewing: Make sure the ABS and ESP lights go out.
Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)
- Cars registered 2003–2015 · All engines
False sliding door warning
The door switch can be out of adjustment, so the van thinks the sliding door is open.
At the viewing: Shut all doors and make sure no warning shows.
- Cars registered 2016–2024 · 2.0 TDI
Fuel pressure sensor (2.0 TDI)
A faulty fuel pressure sensor brings on the engine and glow plug lights.
At the viewing: Make sure there are no warning lights.
Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)
1 more known fault
- Cars registered 2016–2024 · All engines
High-level brake light failing
The high-level brake light can fail, which is an MOT fail. The only fix is a new, improved unit.
At the viewing: Have someone check all the brake lights.
Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Transporter
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a VW dealer confirm from the VIN?
- Has the fuel hose recall been done? Can a VW dealer confirm from the VIN?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen Transporter?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score