2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line — MOT failures & pass rate
3,847 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line are in this dataset, and 88.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 Transporter T30 H-Line comes out 2.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and suspension (3.7%) 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 tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 97 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.7% once past 90-120k — 2.4× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.4% of tests failed in 2023 against 11.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 170 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.7% | 143 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 99 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 62 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 56 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 45 |
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 | 97 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 90 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 72 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 47 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 44 |
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 | 15.9% | 612 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 403 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.6% | 217 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 177 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.5% | 174 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 40 |
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 | 1,673 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,557 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 447 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 150 | 18.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 37 | 5.4% |
| 2024 | 1,882 | 10.9% |
| 2025 | 1,922 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T30 H-Line
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.4% 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 (3.7% 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 (2.6% 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 T30 H-Lines pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 3,847 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by suspension (3.7%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T30 H-Line get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 18.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,847 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.