2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline — MOT failures & pass rate
472 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline are in this dataset, and 85.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 6.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.3%) and tyres (4.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, shock absorbers and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 18 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.1% in the 0-30k band and 21.9% in the 90-120k band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.3% | 25 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.5% | 21 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 21 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 19 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.0% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
| 3 | Wipers | 15 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 9 |
| 6 | Washers | 8 |
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 | 15.7% | 74 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.6% | 17 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 16 |
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 | 118 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 143 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 111 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 233 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 234 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T32 Startline
On a 2021 Transporter T32 Startline, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.3% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% 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 Startlines pass their MOT?
85.2% of the 472 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T32 Startline?
Suspension, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by tyres (4.5%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T32 Startline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 472 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.