2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 406 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa recorded an 86.7% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 Transporter T30 Sa comes out 4.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.4%) and tyres (5.9%) 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 17 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.7% versus 5.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 26 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.9% | 24 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 7 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 5 |
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 | 17 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
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 | 20.0% | 81 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 42 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.9% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 19 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.9% | 16 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 6 |
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 | 183 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 87 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 68 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 206 | 15.0% |
| 2025 | 197 | 11.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T30 Sa
On a 2021 Transporter T30 Sa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.9% 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 (4.2% 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
How many 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sas pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 406 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Sa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by tyres (5.9%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T30 Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 23.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 406 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.