Used car guide

1990 Volkswagen LT diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen LT first registered in 1990 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 140 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 140 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

140MOTs of 1990 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
51%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
4,000typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel than on all cars registered in 1990.

  • Braking performance3.1× usual
    Volkswagen LT
    22.1% All 1990 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.9%, against 3.6% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    29% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Steering
    16% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 1990 Volkswagen LT diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen LT?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen LT compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006764Brakes 53%
20051,117Brakes 53%
20041,065Brakes 53%
2003870Brakes 48%
2002751Brakes 56%
2001422Brakes 50%
2000379Brakes 57%
1999418Brakes 48%
1998357Brakes 45%
1997186Brakes 51%
1996135Brakes 58%
1995128Brakes 47%
1994111Lights and electrics 50%
1991111Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen LT cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score