Volkswagen TD 51KW
Built: 1985-1989 · Series: TD
More machines from model year 1985
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Volkswagen TD – turbodiesel Transporters in the Dutch vehicle register: Bestelwagen and Kampeerauto versions, 1,588 to 1,984 cm³, kerb weight 1,660 to 1,827 kg
This collective page covers Volkswagen Transporters with a turbodiesel engine (TD), listed in the Dutch RDW vehicle register under the term Bestel, the Dutch collective term for closed-bodied commercial vehicles. The model names BESTEL TD 51 KW KAMP.AUTO and BESTEL TD 51 KW KAMPEERAU denote kampeerauto conversions, that is, motorhomes built on the Transporter, using the same 51 kW turbodiesel unit as the plain commercial versions. At Volkswagen, TD denotes the turbocharged indirect-injection diesel without direct injection, used in the 1980s and 1990s in the T3 and T4, before the TDI generation with direct injection followed.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 5 versions here with displacements from 1,588 to 1,984 cm³, four cylinders throughout, kerb weights from 1,660 to 1,827 kg, gross vehicle weights from 2,500 to 2,600 kg and a length of 4,570 mm.
The TD Transporter marks the transition from naturally aspirated diesel to turbodiesel in VW's commercial vehicle line-up and was common in the Netherlands both as a Bestelwagen and as a base for kampeerauto conversions, before the TDI generation replaced it.
On used examples, the condition of the indirect-injection turbodiesel technology, oil consumption and smoke behaviour under load, and the condition of the charge hose and turbocharger matter, while on kampeerauto conversions damp in the habitation area and the condition of the camping equipment should be checked; mechanical parts are widely available through the VW parts trade, conversion parts from the camper builders only to a limited extent.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Volkswagen TD, Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, Zulassungsdaten RDW (Niederlande)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,588 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 1,850 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,460 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,670 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,500 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Volkswagen TD 51KW weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,670 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Volkswagen TD 51KW?
2,500 kg.
What engine does the Volkswagen TD 51KW have?
4 cylinders, 1,588 cm³ displacement.
When was the Volkswagen TD 51KW built?
Production years: 1985-1989.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 9 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
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