2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line — MOT failures & pass rate
1,979 MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line are in this dataset, and 88.7% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and lighting & signalling (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 20.6% in the 120-150k band, a 12.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 93 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 77 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.8% | 75 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 30 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 27 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 67 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 41 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 39 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 34 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 21 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 15.0% | 296 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 212 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 123 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.5% | 89 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 87 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 64 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 849 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 740 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 247 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 100 | 11.0% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 629 | 11.5% |
| 2024 | 667 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 672 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T28 H-Line
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Lines pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 1,979 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.9%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T28 H-Line get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,979 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.