Pros
- Attractive styling
- Excellent driving dynamics
- Supremely practical
- Strong performing engine
Cons
- Major concerns for reliability and longevity
- DSG gearbox can fail
- No rearview camera on many models
- Expensive parts and servicing costs
Verdict
We wouldn't...
We'd be cautious
We would...
While the Transporter is a stylish, enjoyable to drive and supremely practical, the chances of things going very wrong are way too high in our opinion and we just don’t think the Transporter it’s worth the risk.
Unless you’re mentally and financially ready for the potential stress that comes with...
Publish: June 4, 2021
While the Transporter may be fundamentally engineered as a commercial trade vehicle, many within the “van life” community have embraced the ultra-practical Volkswagen as a highly desirable exploration vehicle.
However, while it is undoubtedly one of the more stylish vans on the market and offers a refined and almost car-like driving experience, the Transporter has a far from ideal reputation when it comes to reliability and maintenance.
While available in a host of configurations and receiving a recent mid-life update, is the Transporter a van to be considered at all?
While the Transporter may be fundamentally engineered as a commercial trade vehicle, many within the “van life” community have embraced the ultra-practical Volkswagen as a highly desirable exploration vehicle.
However, while it is undoubtedly one of the more stylish vans on the market and offers a refined and almost car-like driving experience, the Transporter has a far from ideal reputation when it comes to reliability and maintenance.
While available in a host of configurations and receiving a recent mid-life update, is the Transporter a van to be considered at all?
While the Transporter may be fundamentally engineered as a commercial trade vehicle, many within the “van life” community have embraced the ultra-practical Volkswagen as a highly desirable exploration vehicle.
However, while it is undoubtedly one of the more stylish vans on the market and offers a refined and almost car-like driving experience, the Transporter has a far from ideal reputation when it comes to reliability and maintenance.
While available in a host of configurations and receiving a recent mid-life update, is the Transporter a van to be considered at all?
- Head gasket issues
- Diesel and vacuum pump problems
- Turbo failures
- EGR cooler failures
- Timing belt tensioner and idler failures well before service intervals
- DPF issues
- Driveshaft and hub failures
- DSG transmission mechatronic units are riddled with issues and are very expensive to repair
- Various electronic gremlins
- Reports of water leaking into the Transporter via the sliding windows on the crew cab body shell
- Reports of water filling the rear tailgate
- Reports of the door handle either failing or just sticking in place
- Common issues or failures with the central locking
- Water can build in the inner wheel arches potentially leading to rust
- Air conditioning can fail
- A heater fan can become very loud
- An infotainment system can freeze and/or fail
- Lighting behind the gauge cluster can fail
- Button the steering wheel can fail
- Reports of various electronic gremlins
- Head gasket issues
- Diesel and vacuum pump problems
- Turbo failures
- EGR cooler failures
- Timing belt tensioner and idler failures well before service intervals
- DPF issues
- Driveshaft and hub failures
- DSG transmission mechatronic units are riddled with issues and are very expensive to repair
- Various electronic gremlins
- Reports of water leaking into the Transporter via the sliding windows on the crew cab body shell
- Reports of water filling the rear tailgate
- Reports of the door handle either failing or just sticking in place
- Common issues or failures with the central locking
- Water can build in the inner wheel arches potentially leading to rust
- Air conditioning can fail
- A heater fan can become very loud
- An infotainment system can freeze and/or fail
- Lighting behind the gauge cluster can fail
- Button the steering wheel can fail
- Reports of various electronic gremlins
- Head gasket issues
- Diesel and vacuum pump problems
- Turbo failures
- EGR cooler failures
- Timing belt tensioner and idler failures well before service intervals
- DPF issues
- Driveshaft and hub failures
- DSG transmission mechatronic units are riddled with issues and are very expensive to repair
- Various electronic gremlins
- Reports of water leaking into the Transporter via the sliding windows on the crew cab body shell
- Reports of water filling the rear tailgate
- Reports of the door handle either failing or just sticking in place
- Common issues or failures with the central locking
- Water can build in the inner wheel arches potentially leading to rust
- Air conditioning can fail
- A heater fan can become very loud
- An infotainment system can freeze and/or fail
- Lighting behind the gauge cluster can fail
- Button the steering wheel can fail
- Reports of various electronic gremlins
Body style:
- Van
- Crew van
- Single-cab chassis
- Dual-cab chassis
Engines:
- 2.0-Litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power:
- 75kW – 81kW (TDI250)
- 103kW (TDI340)
- 132kW (TDI400)
- 146kW (TDI450)
Torque:
- 350Nm (TDI250)
- 340Nm (TDI340)
- 400Nm (TDI400)
- 450Nm (TDI450)
Transmissions:
- 6-spd manual front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, 4Motion all-wheel drive (TDI400, TDI 450)
Fuel use:
- 6.8L – 8.3L/100km (combined and depending variant, configuration and spec)
Dimensions:
Height:
- 1990mm
- 2177mm
- 2477mm
Length:
- 4890mm (SWB van)
- 5304mm (LWB van)
- 5300mm (Single-cab chassis)
- 5500mm (Dual-cab chassis)
Width:
- 1904mm (Van)
- 1994mm (Cab chassis)
Kerb weight:
- 1661kg – 2262kg (Depending on variant)
Body style:
- Van
- Crew van
- Single-cab chassis
- Dual-cab chassis
Engines:
- 2.0-Litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power:
- 75kW – 81kW (TDI250)
- 103kW (TDI340)
- 132kW (TDI400)
- 146kW (TDI450)
Torque:
- 350Nm (TDI250)
- 340Nm (TDI340)
- 400Nm (TDI400)
- 450Nm (TDI450)
Transmissions:
- 6-spd manual front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, 4Motion all-wheel drive (TDI400, TDI 450)
Fuel use:
- 6.8L – 8.3L/100km (combined and depending variant, configuration and spec)
Dimensions:
Height:
- 1990mm
- 2177mm
- 2477mm
Length:
- 4890mm (SWB van)
- 5304mm (LWB van)
- 5300mm (Single-cab chassis)
- 5500mm (Dual-cab chassis)
Width:
- 1904mm (Van)
- 1994mm (Cab chassis)
Kerb weight:
- 1661kg – 2262kg (Depending on variant)
Body style:
- Van
- Crew van
- Single-cab chassis
- Dual-cab chassis
Engines:
- 2.0-Litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel
Power:
- 75kW – 81kW (TDI250)
- 103kW (TDI340)
- 132kW (TDI400)
- 146kW (TDI450)
Torque:
- 350Nm (TDI250)
- 340Nm (TDI340)
- 400Nm (TDI400)
- 450Nm (TDI450)
Transmissions:
- 6-spd manual front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, front-wheel drive
- 7-spd dual-clutch DSG automatic, 4Motion all-wheel drive (TDI400, TDI 450)
Fuel use:
- 6.8L – 8.3L/100km (combined and depending variant, configuration and spec)
Dimensions:
Height:
- 1990mm
- 2177mm
- 2477mm
Length:
- 4890mm (SWB van)
- 5304mm (LWB van)
- 5300mm (Single-cab chassis)
- 5500mm (Dual-cab chassis)
Width:
- 1904mm (Van)
- 1994mm (Cab chassis)
Kerb weight:
- 1661kg – 2262kg (Depending on variant)
Warranty:
3 years/unlimited km
5 years/unlimited km from 17 December 2018
Servicing:
15,000kms or every 12 months
Model range, pricing and features
While the Transporter is a stylish, enjoyable to drive and supremely practical, the chances of things going very wrong are way too high in our opinion and we just don’t think the Transporter it’s worth the risk.
Unless you’re mentally and financially ready for the potential stress that comes with a Transporter, sorry but no, you shouldn’t buy one.
While the Transporter is a stylish, enjoyable to drive and supremely practical, the chances of things going very wrong are way too high in our opinion and we just don’t think the Transporter it’s worth the risk.
Unless you’re mentally and financially ready for the potential stress that comes with a Transporter, sorry but no, you shouldn’t buy one.
While the Transporter is a stylish, enjoyable to drive and supremely practical, the chances of things going very wrong are way too high in our opinion and we just don’t think the Transporter it’s worth the risk.
Unless you’re mentally and financially ready for the potential stress that comes with a Transporter, sorry but no, you shouldn’t buy one.
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of June 04, 2021.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
Read our full terms and conditions here.
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