2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
283 MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa are in this dataset, and 86.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 9.4% of the time, so this is 3.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.1%) and suspension (6.4%) 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 wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 18 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.2% versus 8.9%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 15.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 23 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.4% | 18 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 13 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 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 | 18 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 9 |
| 3 | Wipers | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 6 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
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 | 14.8% | 42 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 39 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 23 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.0% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 14 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.6% | 13 |
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 | 90 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 84 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 58 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 93 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 97 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T30 Sa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.4% 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 (4.6% 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 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sas pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 283 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by suspension (6.4%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T30 Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 18.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 283 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.