2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,451 MOT tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line recorded an 89.5% pass rate. That is 1.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and suspension (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — tread depth alone was recorded 95 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.3% versus 7.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 12.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 202 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 133 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 92 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 75 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 33 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 95 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 72 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 70 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 64 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 62 |
| 6 | Washers | 39 |
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 | 16.6% | 739 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 488 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.5% | 247 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 218 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.4% | 194 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 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 | 1,260 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,125 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 747 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 242 | 13.2% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,382 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 1,501 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 1,546 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T32 H-Line
On a 2020 Transporter T32 H-Line, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.5% 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.
- Suspension (3.0% 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 (2.1% 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 H-Lines pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 4,451 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by suspension (3.0%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T32 H-Line get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,451 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.