2019 Volkswagen Transporter T30 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,171 MOT tests on the 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T30 are in this dataset, and 86.7% of them passed. That is 3.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.6%) and lighting & signalling (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 69 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.6% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 16.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.6% | 121 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 99 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.4% | 95 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 45 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.0% | 43 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 41 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 67 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 42 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 40 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 37 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 31 |
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 | 18.8% | 409 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 240 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 165 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.3% | 158 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 117 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 82 |
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 | 624 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 881 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 396 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 173 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 491 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 537 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 563 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 579 | 16.6% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Transporter T30
On a 2019 Transporter T30, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.6% 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 (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T30s pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 2,171 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T30?
Suspension, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.6%).
Does the 2019 Transporter T30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,171 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.