2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,255 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 88.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 16.1% in the 120-150k group versus 8.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 169 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.7% | 119 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 110 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 53 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 40 |
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 | 132 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 92 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 72 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 42 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 40 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 40 |
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 | 17.3% | 563 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 263 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 185 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.7% | 184 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 176 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 46 |
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 | 1,761 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 978 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 339 | 18.3% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 1,571 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 1,652 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T28 H-Line S-A
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.2% 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 (3.7% 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 (3.4% 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 T28 H-Line S-As pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 3,255 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T28 H-Line S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by suspension (3.7%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T28 H-Line S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,255 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.