2021 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,590 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter recorded an 86.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (13.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.0%) and suspension (4.2%) 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 malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 67 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k — 2.8× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 13.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 80 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.2% | 67 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 44 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.1% | 33 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 27 |
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 | 67 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 41 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 23 |
| 4 | Wipers | 22 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 21 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 20 |
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 | 14.2% | 226 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 185 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 111 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.7% | 74 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 72 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.8% | 45 |
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 | 672 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 608 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 179 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 49 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 105 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 2024 | 700 | 12.3% |
| 2025 | 723 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.2% 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.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
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 Transporters pass their MOT?
86.2% of the 1,590 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by suspension (4.2%).
Does the 2021 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,590 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.