At a Glance
The Volkswagen Lt has 80 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the LT Mk2 (1996-2006) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 359K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volkswagen Lt common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volkswagen Lt generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volkswagen Lt Generations
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Most Common Volkswagen Lt MOT Failures
Every reason Volkswagen Lt vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exhaust system fault | 7.44% |
| 2 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.31% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.76% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.31% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.15% |
| 6 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.98% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.94% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 3.82% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.65% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.14% |
| 11 | Stop lamp not working | 3.13% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.95% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.71% |
| 14 | Track rod end worn | 2.61% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.61% |
| 16 | Indicator fault | 2.34% |
| 17 | Fog lamp not working | 2.25% |
| 18 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.10% |
| 19 | Front lamp not working | 2.05% |
| 20 | Position lamp not working | 2.02% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.71% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 1.55% |
| 23 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.50% |
| 24 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.50% |
| 25 | Horn not working | 1.20% |
| 26 | Rear lamp not working | 1.18% |
| 27 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.13% |
| 28 | Front suspension fault | 0.88% |
| 29 | Chassis condition | 0.86% |
| 30 | Headlamp fault | 0.86% |
| 31 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.74% |
| 32 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.65% |
| 33 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.62% |
| 34 | Seat belt condition | 0.61% |
| 35 | Steering rack fault | 0.61% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.60% |
| 37 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.52% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.47% |
| 39 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.38% |
| 40 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.36% |
| 41 | Electrical switch fault | 0.35% |
| 42 | Drag link end worn | 0.35% |
| 43 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.33% |
| 44 | Steering free play excessive | 0.33% |
| 45 | ABS fault | 0.29% |
| 46 | Brake pedal fault | 0.29% |
| 47 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.29% |
| 48 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.25% |
| 49 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.25% |
| 50 | Engine oil leak | 0.23% |
| 51 | Brake fluid leak | 0.23% |
| 52 | Brake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 53 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.21% |
| 54 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 55 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.19% |
| 56 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.19% |
| 57 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.17% |
| 58 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.16% |
| 59 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 60 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.13% |
| 61 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.13% |
| 62 | Body security fault | 0.12% |
| 63 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 64 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.12% |
| 65 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.11% |
| 66 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.11% |
| 67 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 68 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.10% |
| 69 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 71 | Rear suspension fault | 0.09% |
| 72 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 73 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 74 | Steering column fault | 0.09% |
| 75 | Brake caliper fault | 0.08% |
| 76 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.08% |
| 77 | Driver seat fault | 0.08% |
| 78 | Steering operation fault | 0.07% |
| 79 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.07% |
| 80 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 81 | Towbar fault | 0.06% |
| 82 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.06% |
| 83 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 85 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 86 | Airbag warning light on | 0.06% |
| 87 | Propshaft fault | 0.06% |
| 88 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 89 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 90 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 91 | Speedometer fault | 0.05% |
| 92 | Driveshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 93 | Steering coupling worn | 0.05% |
| 94 | Steering box fault | 0.04% |
| 95 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 96 | Spare wheel fault | 0.04% |
| 97 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.04% |
| 98 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 99 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 100 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 101 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 102 | Brake valve fault | 0.03% |
| 103 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 104 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 105 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 107 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 108 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 109 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 110 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 111 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.03% |
| 112 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 113 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 114 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.03% |
| 115 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 116 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 117 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 118 | Additional braking device fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.02% |
| 120 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 123 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 124 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 126 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 127 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.02% |
| 128 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 129 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 130 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Dropside damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 132 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 133 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 134 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 135 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.01% |
| 136 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 137 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 138 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 139 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.01% |
| 140 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 141 | Speed limiter fault | 0.01% |
| 142 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 144 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 146 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 148 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 151 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 152 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 162 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 167 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 171 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 172 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 173 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 177 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 185 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 187 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 189 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 192 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 193 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 194 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 195 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 196 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volkswagen Lt MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volkswagen Lt, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volkswagen Lt problems?
Based on analysis of 359K Volkswagen Lt MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 80 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volkswagen Lt generation has the most problems?
The Volkswagen Lt LT Mk2 (1996-2006) (1996–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (110). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volkswagen Lt?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volkswagen Lt owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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