2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa passed 88.5% of its 1,374 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and suspension (2.8%) 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 shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 0-30k band and 15.2% in the 90-120k band, a 7.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 3.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 12.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 64 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.8% | 39 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 36 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 29 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.2% | 17 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 14 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 23 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 22 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 20 |
| 5 | Joints | 18 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 15 |
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 | 12.4% | 171 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 151 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.0% | 68 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 48 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 43 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 10 |
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 | 568 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 600 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 166 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33 | 3.0% |
| 2023 | 43 | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 639 | 11.6% |
| 2025 | 659 | 12.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa
On a 2021 Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.7% 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 (2.8% 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 (2.6% 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-Ln 4M Sas pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 1,374 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by suspension (2.8%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T32 H-Ln 4M Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,374 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.