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With Volkswagen's T6 sixth generation Transporter mid-sized van model, a smarter look pointed to the provision of much smarter Euro6 diesel engine-ware beneath the bonnet, along with a whole range of electronic gadgetry borrowed from the brand's latest passenger car development. Yet this no-nonsense design managed to remain simple, effective and well suited to the needs of buyers in the medium range market segment. Here, we check it out as a used buy.
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History
Think of a Volkswagen van and it's quite probable that you'll be picturing this one, the Transporter. Here, we're looking at the sixth generation T6 version launched in 2015, a van visually similar to its predecessor but significantly improved in many of the areas that really matter.
The Transporter story dates right back to Germany's bleak post-war era and 1949 when a Dutch vehicle importer called Ben Pon spotted workers at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg factory using a stripped-down Beetle to move parts around. Inspired, he sketched out a platform for a versatile commercial vehicle that would go on to set a template for the kind of spacious modern van we're familiar with today. That T1 Transporter sold for 17 years before a more spacious T2 model was introduced in 1967, followed by a more angular T3 version in 1979. More familiar on modern roads is the T4 design of 1990 and its replacement T5 successor of 2003.
All of these Transporter models were aimed at the same medium-sized van segment that this T6 version also targeted - right in the heart of the commercial vehicle sector. Business people shopping here need something more spacious than a compact LCV like Volkswagen's own Caddy, but they don't want to stretch to the higher running costs of a really large van. That's a remit that'll suit a lot of people, hence the stiff competition in this segment in this period from models like Vauxhall's Vivaro, Renault's Trafic, Ford's Transit Custom and the Mercedes Vito, all contenders that by 2015 had been substantially redesigned. Hence the need, in the Autumn of 2015, for the launch of the sixth generation T6 Transporter model we're going to look at here.
The visual similarity that this MK6 version shared with the old T5 model was also reflected by underpinnings that were pretty much exactly the same as they had been before. More significantly, the dimensions were virtually identical too, which once more prevented Volkswagen from taking on the most spacious models in this class. The brand reckoned though, that potential buyers had other priorities, hence the much more efficient Euro6 engine range and this model's smarter cab with its better infotainment systems. Plus there was the option of features that many rivals from this period simply couldn't provide - 4WD, more sophisticated electronic safety technology and a third roof height for example. And, as before, this Transporter came with unbeatable build quality and the widest range of body styles that this market segment could deliver.
At the end of 2019, Volkswagen introduced a mid-term update so far-reaching that they re-christened this model the 'Transporter 6.1'. In this form, the model gained improved engines, revised infotainment systems and a new electromechanical power steering set-up. This sixth generation design was finally replaced by the new-generation T7 seventh generation version late in 2024.
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What you get
This sixth generation T6 Transporter model looks a more modern proposition than its predecessor, with crisp, horizontal lines complemented by angular headlamps that include distinctive daytime running lights on top variants. And at the wheel? Well you'll look in vain for soft-touch surfaces, but then you wouldn't expect that kind of thing on a van. Despite this, the T6 Transporter model offers the smartest-feeling interior in the segment from this period, courtesy of a carefully designed cabin that aims to deliver in terms of both style and functionality.
Focus on the dashboard and the first thing you notice is the 'Composition' colour infotainment touchscreen, fitted just above the ventilation controls above the gearstick. As standard, the set-up came with a 5.0-inch display, but original buyers could upgrade it to 6.33-inches in size if they wanted more features and a useful proximity sensor that reacts as your finger gets close to the required graphic. The post-2019-era Transporter 6.1 model got much better infotainment and a range of larger screens - up to 10.25-inches in size. Whatever your choice of screen, you get features like Bluetooth and a DAB radio as standard across the range, plus the chance to create what in effect would be all the ingredients for mobile office technology.
Time to consider the practicality of this Transporter and, as usual, let's start at the business end. Though the lifting tailgate that you get on passenger carrying versions of this van was available as a glazed or unglazed option, the asymmetrically-split rear doors that come as standard will suit most businesses.
Inside, the wide, boxy area is illuminated by two interior lights, and a third is included with the high roof body style. You get a completely level cargo floor with a loadspace length of 2,572mm in the short wheelbase version, a figure you could increase to 2,975mm if you were to go for the long wheelbase body style - enough for the carriage of three euro pallets.
Whatever your choice of wheelbase, there's a loading width of 1,700mm, narrowing to 1,244mm between the wheelarches - still enough to take a euro pallet lengthwise. That's enough to enable the carriage of an 8x4 sheet, even in the short wheelbase model. The interior roof height is 1,410mm on the low roof model, but there's lots of flexibility in increasing that thanks to the fact that Volkswagen offered a total of three roof height options - other vans in this segment usually offer only two.
Size-wise then, most of what you want to carry will probably fit - but what about weight? Well, payloads are very similar to what they were in the old T5 version, ranging from 658kg to 1,331kg, depending on your choice of Gross Vehicle Weights - there are 2,600, 2,800, 3,000 and 3,200Kg options. Want to load in from the side? Well, there's a standard sliding door on the left-hand side of the vehicle - and another was available for the other side as an option.
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What to look for
The Transporter often tops lists for being one of the most reliable LCVs out there, so you're mainly looking at condition and service history in seeking the best one out. We have heard of a few issues though, most notably a problem with wheel bearings that apparently causes lots of fault codes to appear in the dashboard. Some owners also experienced a shrill noise from beneath the bonnet, warning that the auxiliary drive belt was on its way out. We also heard of problems with a malfunctioning EGR valve for the 2.0-litre TDI engine. And there have been reports of leaking windows. Look out for issues with poor starting and lumpy running. And check the bodywork carefully for scuffs and dents. There was a recall for an airbag fault, so make sure that was carried out.
T6 models should have all service stamps in place from either a VW main dealer or at least a specialist. If any are missing, you'll have to wonder why.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2018 Transporter 2.0 TDI 102PS - autodoc ex-VAT) A search online found oil filters in the £5-£25 bracket and less than £10 for an air filter. A pair of front brake discs would be between £45 and £60, depending on the brand you choose. Rear discs are in the £25-£42 bracket. Front brake pads are in the £25-£57 bracket; rear brake pads are in the £18-£43 bracket. A starter motor is in the £61-£102 bracket. An alternator is in the £124-£154 bracket
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On the road
All T6 Transporter vans use a 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit that in Euro6 form puts out either 84, 102, 150 or 204PS. With the two more powerful variants, there's the option of Volkswagen's super-smooth 7-speed DSG auto gearbox and the brand's 4MOTION 4WD system. On the move, all variants of this model are impressively refined by class standards, the TDI units getting gruff only when pushed, something which isn't necessary provided you keep in the heart of the rather narrow power band. Complementing all this is a smooth ride which avoids the kind of over-soft bounciness that afflicts many similar vans, especially over typically broken urban surfaces. And the steering's light for easy town use, while being precise enough for reasonable feel at speed.
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Overall
As every business knows, the cheapest option isn't always the most cost-effective one. In the medium-sized Mercedes Vito and Vivaro-class van sector, this T6 Transporter is a perfect example of that. There are certainly cheaper alternatives, but few of them can match this Volkswagen's build quality or its residual values.
Some rivals from this period offer more space and carriage capacity it's true, and it's interesting that Volkswagen chose not to broaden this vehicle's dimensions to try and match these standards. Such a move though, might have made it harder for owners of older models to transfer things like racking systems to this T6 version. That's one of the reasons why we think most operators will be quite happy with this Transporter from a practicality point of view. The other is the availability of the extra third roof height option that most competitors don't provide.
Overall, it says a lot that often on the move, you forget you're in a van at all. But then, this is a Transporter, part of the most enduring model line the commercial vehicle industry has ever seen and a vehicle with a greater history of development than any other in its segment. More efficient engines and extra technology here built upon that legacy, cementing this T6 model's proposition in its sector and underlining this product's importance for potential business customers.
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