Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa MOT pass rate & common failures
1,107 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa (2019–2024) give it an 87.8% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 9.1% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.0%) and tyres (5.0%) 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 headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 47 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Transporter T30 Sa fails 7.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Transporter T30 Sa model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 251 | 87.6% | 12.3% | Suspension |
| 2020 | 283 | 86.9% | 13.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2021 | 406 | 86.7% | 13.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2022 | 156 | 92.3% | 7.7% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 67 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.0% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.3% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 18 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 13 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 6 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 24 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 5 | Wipers | 18 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 16 |
| 7 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 8 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
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 | 17.6% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 126 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 63 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 56 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.0% | 55 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 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 | 437 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 312 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 19.3% |
| 90-120k | 111 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 61 | 11.5% |
| 2023 | 154 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 368 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 524 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (4.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa?
87.8% of the 1,107 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.2% fail rate, across model years 2019–2024.
What does the Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.0% of tests, then tyres (5.0%).
How much does mileage affect Transporter T30 Sa MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 9.1% for 120-150k, a 1.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,107 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.