Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 5 model years and 1,310 tests, the Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline passes its MOT 85.8% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 9.1% of the time, so this is 5.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.8%) and lighting & signalling (5.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and brake pads — shock absorbers alone was recorded 46 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.0% versus 6.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Transporter T32 Startline model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 237 | 85.2% | 14.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2020 | 389 | 86.1% | 13.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2021 | 472 | 85.2% | 14.8% | Suspension |
| 2022 | 196 | 86.2% | 13.8% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.8% | 76 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 73 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.3% | 43 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.3% | 43 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 37 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 17 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 8 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 46 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 43 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 42 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 27 |
| 5 | Wipers | 23 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 7 | Washers | 16 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 16 |
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 | 14.1% | 185 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 161 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.9% | 77 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 75 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.5% | 59 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 35 |
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 | 280 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 434 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 316 | 16.5% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 64 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 53 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 166 | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 444 | 16.0% |
| 2025 | 647 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline
- Suspension (5.8% 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 (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline?
85.8% of the 1,310 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.2% fail rate, across model years 2019–2023.
What does the Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 5.8% of tests, then lighting & signalling (5.6%).
How much does mileage affect Transporter T32 Startline MOT results?
Fail rates run at 6.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 27.0% for 150k+, a 21.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,310 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.