Used car guide

1997 Volkswagen LT: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen LT first registered in 1997: we looked at the 186 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 186 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

186MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
52%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
3,800typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Volkswagen LT?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Volkswagen LT than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Ball joint4.4× usual
    Volkswagen LT
    19.9% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 1997 Volkswagen LT MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Volkswagen LT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    51% 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
    45% 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
    37% 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
    27% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    18% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Volkswagen LT

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 1997 Volkswagen LT 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%
1996135Brakes 58%
1995128Brakes 47%
1994111Lights and electrics 50%
1991111Brakes 43%
1990155Brakes 48%

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 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score