2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 288 MOT tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt recorded an 89.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 9.2%, so the 2020 Transporter T32 Bmt sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.2%) and brakes (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — washers alone was recorded 12 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.2% | 12 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 8 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Tyres | 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 | Washers | 12 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 8 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 3 |
| 6 | Electronic parking brake | 2 |
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 | 12.8% | 37 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 25 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.6% | 16 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 9 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 4 |
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 | 220 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 53 | 7.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 87 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 91 | 12.1% |
| 2025 | 95 | 10.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T32 Bmt
On a 2020 Transporter T32 Bmt, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (3.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 T32 Bmts pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 288 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Bmt?
Visibility, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.1%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T32 Bmt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 7.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 288 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.