Volkswagen Transporter T32 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Volkswagen Transporter T32 appears in 4,034 MOT tests spanning model years 2018–2023, and 89.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (9.1% fail rate), the Transporter T32 comes out 1.9pp worse. Its most common failure areas are tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.5%) and suspension (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 101 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Transporter T32 fails 7.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 4.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 11.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Transporter T32 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 188 | 89.4% | 10.6% | Suspension |
| 2020 | 2,108 | 88.6% | 11.4% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 1,436 | 89.8% | 10.2% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 283 | 89.0% | 10.9% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 183 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.2% | 128 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 127 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 86 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 66 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 61 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 24 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.5% | 19 |
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 | 101 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 95 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 83 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 60 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 53 |
| 6 | Washers | 38 |
| 7 | Registration plates | 28 |
| 8 | Coil spring | 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 | 15.7% | 633 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 467 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 264 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 211 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.8% | 195 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.6% | 64 |
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 | 1,271 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,856 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 646 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 199 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 71 | 7.0% |
| 2023 | 723 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 1,461 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 1,778 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Transporter T32
- 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 (3.2% 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 (3.1% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Transporter T32?
89.1% of the 4,034 Volkswagen Transporter T32 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 10.9% fail rate, across model years 2018–2023.
What does the Volkswagen Transporter T32 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, then suspension (3.2%).
How much does mileage affect Transporter T32 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.2% for cars in the 0-30k band and 11.1% for 120-150k, a 4.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,034 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.