2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,646 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startline, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres. Its pass rate of 85.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.3% in the 120-150k group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 670 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.8% | 559 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 415 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 274 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.5% | 240 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 172 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 365 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 337 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 265 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 175 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 175 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 164 |
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 | 16.3% | 1,568 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 1,126 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.5% | 625 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.4% | 517 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 472 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 399 |
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 | 2,741 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,188 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,049 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 529 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 115 | 18.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 4,781 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 4,762 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T28 Startline
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startline, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.8% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
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 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startlines pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 9,646 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Startline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.8%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T28 Startline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 18.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,646 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.