2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Highline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,033 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Highline, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 87.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.7% in the 150k+ group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.5% | 557 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 435 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 383 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 161 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 159 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 99 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 323 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 322 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 276 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 202 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 161 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 89 |
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% | 1,649 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.0% | 1,000 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.8% | 685 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 487 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 463 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 439 |
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 | 3,678 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,292 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,565 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 374 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 15.3% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 49 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 3,214 | 10.7% |
| 2024 | 3,307 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 3,462 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T28 Highline
Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Highline, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 5.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 (4.3% 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 (3.8% 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 T28 Highlines pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 10,033 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Highline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T28 Highline?
Suspension, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T28 Highline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 23.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,033 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.