2019 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,469 MOT tests, the 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt recorded an 88.7% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (10.2% fail rate), the 2019 Transporter T32 Bmt comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.8%) and tyres (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 97 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 120-150k band, a 8.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 165 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.5% | 123 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.7% | 94 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 94 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 62 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 47 |
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 | Brake pads | 79 |
| 3 | Washers | 69 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 59 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 38 |
| 6 | Wipers | 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 | 17.3% | 599 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 370 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.6% | 369 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 126 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 86 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 65 |
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 | 1,326 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,431 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 502 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 141 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37 | 2.7% |
| 2022 | 804 | 9.4% |
| 2023 | 861 | 12.1% |
| 2024 | 886 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 881 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Transporter T32 Bmt
On a 2019 Transporter T32 Bmt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Brakes (2.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 T32 Bmts pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 3,469 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by tyres (3.5%).
Does the 2019 Transporter T32 Bmt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,469 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.