VW T5 (2003-2015): known problems and buying guide

A practical van with costly diesel weak spots; check the injectors, camshaft, flywheel, DSG and body rust before you buy.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
2.0 BiTDI, 180 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€569	€17,990	726	Diesel	CFC	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2009–2015
2.0 BiTDI, 180 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€593	€17,990	726	Diesel	CFC	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€525	€14,998	630	Diesel	CAA, CCH	Manual (6)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€552	€14,998	630	Diesel	CAA, CCH	Manual (6)	2009–2015
2.0 BiTDI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€557	€15,999	343	Diesel	CFC	Manual (6)	2009–2015
2.0 BiTDI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€578	€15,999	343	Diesel	CFC	Manual (6)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 102 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€505	€9,999	333	Diesel	CXG	Manual (5)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€545	€15,700	229	Diesel	CAA, CCH	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 84 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€498	€8,800	184	Diesel	CXG	Manual (5)	2009–2015
2.0 TDI, 114 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€489	€12,500	91	Diesel	CAA, CXH	Manual (5)	2011–2015

Years: 2003 to 2015. The 2009 facelift brought the common-rail 2.0 TDI, the BiTDI and the seven-speed DSG.
Reliability: 2/5. Pump-injector wear, camshaft and flywheel faults, and DSG shift faults add up to big bills.
DIY: 2/5. Engine, flywheel and gearbox jobs need a workshop; body repair needs welding.
Biggest risks: camshaft and injector wear on the 2.5 TDI, DSG shift faults, EGR cooler failure on the 2.0 TDI, and rust.
Prefer: a van with a full service record, no fuel smell in the oil and dry sills. Avoid: pump-injector diesels with rust and no oil records.

1.9 TDI pump-injector, 86/105 PS (AXC, AXB, BRR, BRS), 2003-2009: five-speed manual.
2.5 TDI pump-injector, 131/174 PS (AXD, AXE, BNZ, BPC), 2003-2009: six-speed manual or 09K automatic. Camshaft, injector and liner faults.
2.0 TDI common rail, 84 to 140 PS (CXG, CAA, CXH, CCH), 2009-2015: the EGR cooler is the main risk.
2.0 BiTDI, 180 PS (CFC), 2009-2015: avoid unless the EGR cooler is already renewed. promobil says failures can come below 100,000 km.
2.0 TSI, 150/204 PS (CJK), 2009-2015: high oil use is reported.
Petrol 2.0 (AXA), 115 PS, and 3.2 V6 (BKK), 235 PS: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Manual gearbox: bearings and reverse gears wear, mostly after 200,000 km.
09K six-speed automatic, pre-facelift: keep the fluid changed.
DQ500 seven-speed DSG, facelift: see DSG shift faults below.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Pump-injector wear and fuel in the oil	1.9 and 2.5 TDI pump-injector, 2003-2009	Not stated	No confirmed price
Camshaft and cam follower wear	2.5 TDI (AXD, AXE, BNZ, BPC)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Dual-mass flywheel wear	1.9 and 2.5 TDI pump-injector	200,000-300,000	About 800 GBP (UK, 2013)
DSG DQ500 shift faults	DQ500 DSG, 2009-2015	Not stated	DSG clutch in general about 1,000-2,000 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
EGR cooler failure	2.0 TDI (CXG, CAA, CXH, CCH) and BiTDI (CFC), 2009-2015	Under 100,000 on BiTDI	800-1,400 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
Cylinder liner coating failure	2.5 TDI (AXD, AXE, BNZ, BPC)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Water pump failure	1.9 and 2.5 TDI pump-injector	90,000-120,000	No confirmed price
Body rust	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price

Start the cold 2.5 TDI and listen for ticking. Check for rough idle or misfires. Bad result: ticking, misfires or a rough idle. A scanner reads misfire codes.
Drive the DQ500 in D through all gears. Bad result: jerks, sudden downshifts or idle shake. A scanner reads mechatronic faults. Ask for the fluid change record.
Pull away in first and reverse. Bad result: judder, or a rattle at idle or on standstill. What Van? gives about 800 GBP or more for the flywheel repair.
Start the cold 2.0 TDI and watch the exhaust. Bad result: white smoke, coolant loss or rising oil use. A scanner reads EGR faults.
Smell the dipstick and check the oil level after a drive. Bad result: a diesel smell, or a level that rises between services.
On cars above 300,000 km, ask for the oil use history. Bad result: high oil use or a capital repair already done.
Look under the engine for coolant. Bad result: puddles, a groaning noise or coolant in the oil.
Check the sills, wheel arches, sliding door rails, tailgate seam and windscreen frame with a screwdriver. Bad result: soft metal, bubbling paint or a poor repair.
Check open recall campaigns by VIN with a VW dealer. Bad result: an open campaign.

Operational	€248
Workshop	€142
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€156
Total per month	€546
New-car depreciation (not included)	€89

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.