Volkswagen Kombi: common problems, APK failures and recalls
There are 7,080 Volkswagen Kombi cars registered in the Netherlands, first registered between 1961 and 2024.
In a sample of 396 cars, 69.7% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, more often than average (51.5% across all models).
The most common defect is tyre pressure incorrect (19.7% of inspected cars).
5.8% have an odometer reading the RDW marks as illogical, a sign of a rolled-back odometer.
Check a specific Volkswagen Kombi
Free: APK expiry, insurance, open recall and odometer verdict. The full report adds every APK inspection with its defects.
Most common APK defects
| Defect | Cars |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure incorrect | 19.7% |
| Tyre tread depth insufficient | 15.4% |
| Dipped beam incorrectly aimed | 10.6% |
| Reflector defective | 9.6% |
| Wipers give insufficient visibility | 8.1% |
| Number plate light not working (properly) / missing | 7.1% |
| Excessive leak of other fluids | 5.6% |
| Tyre damaged | 5.3% |
| Exhaust not gas-tight / exhaust gases discharged unsafely | 4.8% |
| Rear light not working (properly) | 4.5% |
Share of 396 sampled cars (first registered 2012–2021) with this defect at an APK inspection since 2024. RDW Open Data: Geconstateerde Gebreken.
Common advisories
| Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm | 10.4% |
| Mechanical brake parts show wear | 7.3% |
| Steering or kingpin ball joint wear up to 1.0 mm | 1.8% |
| Shock absorber leaking | 1.8% |
Advisories are noted at the APK but are not a failure.
Fleet figures
| Registered in the Netherlands | 7,080 |
| Open recall (not yet fixed) | 0.8% |
| Illogical odometer reading | 5.8% |
| Used as a taxi | 16.7% |
| First registered | 1961 to 2024 |
All Volkswagen Kombi passenger cars in the RDW register, 2026-10-06.
Questions
How often does the Volkswagen Kombi fail the APK?
In a sample of 396 cars first registered 2012–2021, 69.7% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, against 51.5% across all models.
What are common problems with the Volkswagen Kombi?
The most common APK defects are: tyre pressure incorrect (19.7%), tyre tread depth insufficient (15.4%), dipped beam incorrectly aimed (10.6%).
Does the Volkswagen Kombi have recalls?
No recalls are registered with the RDW for this model.
Other Volkswagen models
Golf · Polo · Tiguan · Up! · Passat · T-Roc · Touran · ID.3 · T-Cross · ID.4 · Fox · Caddy · Taigo · Transporter · California
Source: RDW Open Data (Gekentekende voertuigen, Geconstateerde Gebreken, Terugroepacties), CC0. Model grouping by Factline from RDW trade names. AI agents: factline.dev/llms.txt.