Microbus Type 1 Engines
from £1,895 to £3,200
Rebuilt units from £1,895 · Common codes: B, D, E, F, H, L
Get quotes from trusted UK Volkswagen Microbus engine specialists. Compare reconditioned and rebuilt prices for 1600 and 2000 - air-cooled & water-cooled flat-four covered. Get specialist quotes for your Microbus.
Microbus Type 1 Engines
from £1,895 to £3,200
Rebuilt units from £1,895 · Common codes: B, D, E, F, H, L
Microbus Type 4 Engines
from £2,695 to £4,200
Rebuilt units from £2,695 · Common codes: AD, AS, CU, CV
Microbus Wasserboxer Engines
from £3,295 to £5,500
Rebuilt units from £3,295 · Common codes: CT, DH, DJ, MV

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
The table below shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs across Volkswagen Microbus variants - compare failure causes, engine codes, fuel types, and price ranges to benchmark what UK drivers are paying.


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“Thanks to EngineMarket, I saved over £1,200 on my engine replacement and got matched with a great local specialist within the hour.”












Not sure which variant your Volkswagen Microbus is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Volkswagen Microbus across Splitscreen, Bay Window and T25 generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed petrol and performance engine families across Volkswagen Microbus variants.

UK - 1.6L Petrol
Main replacement demand comes from timing-chain, cooling-system and performance thermal-management faults.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£2,100 - £3,200
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Volkswagen Microbus engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The classic Volkswagen Microbus air-cooled engines are beloved but require specialist care. The Type 1 (B/D/E/F/H/L), Type 4 (AD/AS/CU/CV) and Wasserboxer (CT/DH/DJ/MV) families each have known failure patterns. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EngineMarket includes upgraded internal components designed to address the typical failure point - plus a...
Rear Main Seal Oil Leak
Most affected vehicles
Volkswagen Microbus Splitscreen 1200cc/1300cc/1600cc (1950-1967, codes B, D, E, F, H, L)
Failure mileage range
40,000-80,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
Age-related hardening of the rear crankshaft seal combined with crankcase pressure from worn piston rings.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - Seal Replacement | £450 - £750 | £280 - £450 | Remove gearbox, replace rear main seal, reseal sump | Temporary fix if crankshaft journal is undamaged; 6-12 months typical |
| Intermediate - Seal + Pressure Check | £850 - £1,400 | £550 - £900 | Seal replacement plus crankcase ventilation check, piston ring compression test | Better longevity if root cause addressed; 12-24 months if rings OK |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt Engine | £2,800 - £4,200 | £1,895 - £3,200 | Supply & fit rebuilt Type 1 engine with upgraded seals, bench-tested, 12-month warranty | Permanent solution; recommended if mileage exceeds 70k or other wear present |
Our recommendation
On a Splitscreen valued at £15,000+, a full rebuild with upgraded seals offers better long-term value than repeated minor repairs. We recommend compression testing first to assess overall engine health.
Compare rebuilt Type 1 engine prices for your Volkswagen Microbus
Every engine type for your Type 2, Bay Window or T25 is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on variant, engine code and budget.
Compare Volkswagen Microbus engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Volkswagen Microbus within hours.

Every displacement fitted to the Volkswagen Microbus across Splitscreen, Bay Window and T25 generations is listed below with compatible engine codes, years and common failure notes.
The smallest air-cooled option, fitted to early Splitscreen models from 1950-1967. This 34hp unit prioritises simplicity and ease of maintenance, making it popular for entry-level restorations and daily-driver conversions.
Engine Code(s)
B, D
Compatible Models (UK)
Splitscreen 1200cc (1950-1967), Panel Van 1200cc
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Rear main seal oil leaks, carburettor jetting issues at higher mileage
Production Years: 1955-1967
Get quotes for Volkswagen Microbus 1.2L petrol engines
Choose your Volkswagen Microbus engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known issues, and compatible UK supply options - from early Splitscreen 1200cc to the latest T25 2100cc FI.
All Volkswagen Microbus engines are petrol-powered, spanning air-cooled Type 1 (1950-1971), air-cooled Type 4 (1972-1979) and water-cooled Wasserboxer (1980-1992) families.
Common Volkswagen Microbus Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
All Volkswagen Microbus engines are petrol-powered, spanning air-cooled Type 1 (1950-1971), air-cooled Type 4 (1972-1979) and water-cooled Wasserboxer (1980-1992) families.
Common Volkswagen Microbus Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Volkswagen Microbus has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Volkswagen Microbus specialists.

This section covers all major engine changes across the Volkswagen Microbus production timeline from 1950-1992, organised so owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
B- 1.2L petrol (Splitscreen 1200cc)
D- 1.2L petrol (Panel Van 1200cc)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
BD