VW Transporter T5 bucket seat guide
2003 to 2015
Recaro, Corbeau and Cobra all confirm direct fit frames for the T5. The seat range leans toward Recaro’s touring and long-distance options rather than pure FIA competition shells, which reflects what this vehicle is actually built for.
No roll cage appears in the catalogue for the T5, which is expected on a van or campervan rather than a car built for the track.
- Recaro direct fit frame, £357.00, confirmed for the T5
- Corbeau at £245 and Cobra at £255.00 also confirmed
- The Recaro Sportster CS and Cross Sportster CS with Side Airbag keep the factory side airbag function working
- The Recaro Pole Position 2018 Edition at £1,446.48 and Classic Pole Position ABE at £2,179.80 are the premium bucket seats on this page
- No roll cage is currently confirmed for the T5, expected on a van rather than a track car
- All FIA harnesses carry a stamped expiry date that ends their competition life regardless of wear
The fitting frame
Recaro confirm a direct fit frame for the T5 at £357.00. Corbeau offer one at £245 and Cobra at £255.00, the Cobra listing specifically covering 2003 to 2016 production. All bolt to the factory floor mounting points. All of them are fixed static bases: we do not do swivel bases for the Transporter, on any seat.
The fitting kit
Choose one frame, not both.
- Recaro direct fit frame, £357.00
- Corbeau direct fit frame, £245, Corbeau seats only
- Cobra direct fit frame, £255.00, 2003 to 2016
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FIA competition bucket seats
The Recaro Pole Position with ABE at £1,039.50 is road legal with type approval, the most likely choice for a touring vehicle. The Recaro Profi SPG at £1,182.00 is a full FIA motorsport bucket seat if the build is heading toward competition use. The Pole Position 2018 Edition at £1,446.48 and the Classic Pole Position ABE at £2,179.80 sit further up the range.
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Reclining sport seats
For a T5 doing what it is built for, long journeys and time spent parked up, the Recaro Sportster CS with Side Airbag at £2,139.48 and the Cross Sportster CS with Side Airbag at £2,135.70 keep the factory safety systems intact, which matters for insurance and MOT purposes. The Auto Style Type BS5 at £354.00 and Type LH Fabric at £309.00 are more affordable alternatives, and the Sparco R100 Martini Racing at £349.99 sits alongside them. The Sparco SPX at £2,815.79 is the premium option on this page, and the Corbeau PSR, Sportline RRB Black, Sportline RRS and SVR Vinyl pairs, from £558.00 to £1,020.00 work out at roughly half those figures per seat.
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Our recommendationKeep the side airbag if the van needs an MOT and insurance sign-off
The Sportster CS and Cross Sportster CS with Side Airbag are the seats to start with if you want to keep the factory safety systems intact. Cameron works out the fit and the best combination for a given van, so tell him how it is used and he will point you at the right one.
Harnesses
There is no harness made specifically for the T5, so you are fitting a universal belt and working out the mounting yourself. With no roll cage currently confirmed for this vehicle, a bolt-in harness bar or a fabricated anchor point is the usual route if a harness is genuinely needed.
The Schroth Profi 3×2 at £444.01 and the TRS Magnum 6 Point Superlite at £245 are both FIA 8853-2016. The TRS Magnum 4 Point at £246.00 is FIA 8854-1998. All three carry a stamped expiry date regardless of wear. For road use, the Takata Drift II and III and the TRS Clubman belts cost less, though none of those four are HANS compatible.
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Our recommendationConfirm the anchor before the belt
With no cage confirmed for this vehicle, tell us what is behind the seats now and what the T5 is used for, and we will tell you what the shoulder straps can anchor to before you spend anything on the belt.
Roll cages
No roll cage is currently confirmed for the T5. As a van or campervan rather than a car built for competition, this gap is expected. If you need one, ask us and we will check what is available.
What fits what
All seats below fit the T5 on the Recaro, Corbeau or Cobra frame.
| Seat | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recaro Pole Position with ABE | Road legal, type approved | £1,039.50 |
| Recaro Profi SPG | FIA competition | £1,182.00 |
| Recaro Pole Position 2018 Edition | FIA/road, updated shell | £1,446.48 |
| Recaro Sportster CS with Side Airbag | Reclining, keeps side airbag | £2,139.48 |
| Recaro Cross Sportster CS with Side Airbag | Reclining, keeps side airbag | £2,135.70 |
| Auto Style Type BS5 | Reclining seat | £354.00 |
| Corbeau SVR Vinyl, pair | Reclining, pair listing | £1,020.00 |
Common questions
Which frame does the T5 need?
Recaro confirm one at £357.00, Corbeau at £245 for Corbeau seats, and Cobra at £255.00 for 2003 to 2016 production.
Is there a roll cage for the T5?
Not currently. As a van or campervan rather than a car built for competition, this is an expected gap. Ask us if you need one.
Which seat keeps the factory side airbag working?
The Recaro Sportster CS and Cross Sportster CS with Side Airbag are both built to keep that system functional, which matters for MOT and insurance purposes.
Which harness should I buy?
For FIA competition, the Schroth Profi 3×2 at £444.01 and the TRS Magnum 6 Point Superlite at £245 both meet 8853-2016, and the TRS Magnum 4 Point at £246.00 meets 8854-1998. For road use, the Takata Drift II and III and the TRS Clubman belts cost less but are not HANS compatible.
Can I have a swivel base on the T5?
No. We do not do swivel bases for the Transporter. Every seat we supply for the T4, T5 and T6 goes onto a fixed static base: the direct fit frame for the seat brand you choose, one per seat, bolted to the factory floor mounting points. The passenger seat faces forward like the driver’s. If a swivel is essential to your conversion, a fixed frame from us is not the right part for that seat.
More help
If you want the frame confirmed against your specific vehicle, or want us to check whether a cage or harness anchor solution exists, the contact link is the quickest way to get it looked at.
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