2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 passed 88.6% of its 2,108 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and suspension (3.6%) 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 60 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.4% in the 0-30k band and 12.9% in the 120-150k band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 13.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 76 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 69 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 43 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 26 |
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 | 60 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 39 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 26 |
| 6 | Washers | 19 |
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 | 16.4% | 346 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 255 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 140 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 120 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.5% | 116 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.5% | 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 | 558 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 998 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 383 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 131 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 650 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 715 | 11.6% |
| 2025 | 737 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T32
On a 2020 Transporter T32, 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 (3.6% 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 (3.3% 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 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32s pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 2,108 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T32?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T32 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,108 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.