Volkswagen Transporter (96-03) - Review

The Transporter slots in between the smaller Caddy and the larger LT and offers a useful, if not overwhelming, 5.4 cubic metres of loadspace in its normal format. Payloads vary from 800kg to 1,200kg depending on the model and in panel van guise, load length is 2,485mm, load width is 1,620mm and load height is 1,415mm. Gross vehicle weights range from 2.5 tonnes to 2.8-tonnes. An up-and-over tailgate was available as a no-cost option, while adding cargo is made easy with a low loading height of just 515mm.

No vans of this period were brimming with safety and security devices and although the Transporter was better endowed than most, these were all paid-for options, so close scrutiny is essential when looking at a used Transporter to see exactly what it contains. A driver’s airbag was on the options list, along with ABS brakes at a whopping £1,065, which probably means that most used examples won’t have them. Even traction control was available on later models. On the security front, an immobiliser came as standard while alarms and central locking added to the bill.

Lower-powered Transporters in standard spec were reasonably priced when new and such was VW’s faith in its product that a three year/100,000 mile warranty was offered. Servicing intervals are a rather frequent 6,000 miles and Volkswagen parts tend to be pricey when things go wrong. Expect to pay top prices for any model that is clean and with low mileage.

The Transporter is one of the most reliable vans on the road, so hopefully those expensive VW parts won’t be required very often. The huge number of T4s on the roads today pay tribute to this van’s longevity, although as servicing is required so frequently, owners of older models may be tempted to skimp on this vital area. As such, buyers are recommended to insist on a full service history.