2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line — MOT failures & pass rate
2,798 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line are in this dataset, and 90.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 1.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and suspension (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 62 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.7% in the 0-30k band and 14.8% in the 90-120k band, a 7.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.1% in 2023 to 10.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 69 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 60 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 51 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 28 |
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 | 62 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 41 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 37 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 25 |
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 | 16.8% | 470 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 316 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 172 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 125 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.9% | 110 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.1% | 31 |
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 | 970 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,381 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 329 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 14.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 33 | 12.1% |
| 2024 | 1,343 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 1,420 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T32 H-Line
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.1% 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 (2.5% 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 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Lines pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 2,798 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Line?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T32 H-Line get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,798 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.