2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 passed 89.1% of its 7,819 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 Transporter T28 comes out 2.3pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and suspension (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 243 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.6% versus 7.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 1.4% of tests failed in 2023 against 11.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 330 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 318 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 299 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 118 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 118 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 99 |
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 | 243 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 194 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 130 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 123 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 100 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 95 |
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 | 17.2% | 1,346 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.0% | 780 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 455 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.6% | 361 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 351 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 133 |
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 | 3,606 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,047 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 902 | 16.5% |
| 90-120k | 199 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 49 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73 | 1.4% |
| 2024 | 3,816 | 10.5% |
| 2025 | 3,930 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T28
On a 2021 Transporter T28, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- Suspension (4.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 T28s pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 7,819 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by suspension (4.1%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T28 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,819 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.