My T5 has 47,000kms. It broke a fan belt which doesn't sound to bad, but the fan belt mad its way into the cam belt. There is a hole in the cam belt cover. It wrapped around a cog and caused the engine to go out of time. It destroyed valves, pistons and the head. This can happen at any time in the vehicles life. Volkswagen want nothing to do with it as its just out of warranty. Car is a lemon. Buyers beware!!!

Bought this because I drive over 20000 miles per annum, most of it with six people in the car, and through the alps. Drive is fantastic, not cheap to run, average to good reliability (annoying noise from ventilation, sliding doors changed, electric gremlin, power steering pump, transmission and gearbox work but not full rebuild for 2000 euros in France, over 170000 miles). Best thing is driving 12 hours solid, and feeling less tired than in any of my previous car. 4motion 175cv, top trim

I have a transporter 2011 t5 reported in warrente the oil consumption was high.They said they tested but did not do a proper oil consumption test .After 110000 km the engine was said to be worn out .I have serviced the van from the start at vw. There goodwill is to pay half which is a replacement engin. Why do they offer 3 year warrentee and unlimited km if the engine is so good
Not impressed by vw

Good car, pretty reliable, just make sure you don't drive it nicely. I drove it nicely, the result was a hard-to-start van that required both heat and more power to start, since then I've tried killing it, but it hasn't failed me. It has started in as low as -25C without problems, towed a lot, and been used for long and short trips alike. The front bumper is about to fall off, signal lights have fallen off, the front lights almost fell off, its rusting nicely, but after 330000, what can you expect?! Never changed transmission, never changed the engine, no big repairs at all.

Have a 2006 T5 2.0 L petrol, has done 660,000km. (Courier driver)
Had air flow meter go about 220,000 km $1000
Front struts and rear shocks 3 times $1000 each time.
Gearbox 550,000 Kim's $8000, cv joints $1000 twice
Numerous exhaust manifold and flexible joint repairs
Other than that its not been a bad vehicle, a lot is just general wear and tear overall . Better than squashing into a hiace, car like characteristics and good handling.

My transporter is just about to click over the 1/2 million kms it is a 2008 mid roof lwb auto 6 speed
and am about to buy a 2008 multivan as a backup vehicle I don't know why VW stopped making the 2.5 engine it is so economical I get about 8.6 .> 9.00 l to the 100km I drive on an average 750km per day 6 . days a week . I love driving it for it's comfort and it has plenty of torque for passing and climbing big hills

T4 vw transporter is fantastic when new !
But when it reached 150000 km, it is a money pit....
Sorry to say, but a humble toyota hiace is a far more reliable vehicle.I always hear great stories about vw doing 400-500 's kms and more, but how much do you have to spend to get to that mileage !I
If they were that good, why do you have to keep spending money on replacing parts at 150 000 km.......

Seem the 6 speed autos r rubbish
Have been quoted $8000+ to repair!!
A lot of transmission rebuilders don't want to touch them.
Those that do state that they will stuff up again.
My died after 13000km and I did auto service at 60000 and 100000 kms
After hearing about the gear box problems. Didn't help
PS mine was a 2007 t5 transporter

I purchased the vehicle 06 SWB 2.5ltr 4motion Transporter second hand with 12000ks, the vehicle has now done 88000ks, just after the warranty ran out the air-conditioning compressor packed it in, then at 50000ks had coolant in the oil, diagnosed as engine oil cooler, replaced that, wrong diagnosis, it was actually the water pump, replaced that, now the turbo has packed it in, enough is enough this car is a lemon, would love to drive thru the windows of the dealership that it was purchased from, Volkswagen Australia are a bunch of terrible people to deal with, no help from them, time to sell the van

Love the vehicle but have spent about 18,000 dollars on repairing the gearbox.... not happy!! Over the last 3 years it has had the torque converter replaced. This has been very expensive and inconvenient as a reliable vehicle is essential to us. I expected better from a German made vehicle.
My son is quadriplegic and I like the two side door access making it easy to attach tie downs to his chair
Geabrox problems

Compelled to write review. Have a 2007 manual TDI 2.5 128kw version. Had it for 2 years, no problems at all. Only done longer distance trips. Yes, if you want genuine VW accessories, they aren't very cheap but other than that I'd have to be real picky to find fault with it. It looks good and goes even better.

We take it to an authorised VW shop instead of a dealer. The dealers are useless and a terrible rip off.
Has been reliable, inexpensive to travel in - fuel consumption amazing, heaps of power to take on anything, comfortable
Support from VW is extremely poor so find an authorised mechanic instead

Impressive space, luxury, comfort in a performance vehicle. 2.5Tdi auto ex ambo with seats curtains, tint dual air all windows LWB just went round Aus at 100mph. Try doing that. 80l tank helps heaps. Eats up highways, bit of a slug in town but economical @ 10l/100km. Engine diesel noisy but whisper quiet cruising. Fuel additives help.Likes tyres and oil changes esp transmission. Get prof service on majors and quality techicians, this is not a Japanese or holden and so has quirks that need knowhow. 190,000km and ready to do it again
Luxury and performance with economy
Expensive parts, frequent service, bad service