2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,833 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 88.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.3% in the 120-150k group versus 7.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 166 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.1% | 157 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 154 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 56 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 39 |
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 | 110 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 85 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 73 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 69 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 42 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 36 |
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% | 665 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 391 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.0% | 268 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.1% | 234 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 219 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 116 |
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 | 1,276 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,703 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 576 | 14.4% |
| 90-120k | 203 | 13.8% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,188 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 1,309 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 1,317 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Transporter T30 H-Line S-A
Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- 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.
- Suspension (4.1% 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 (4.0% 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 T30 H-Line S-As pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 3,833 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Transporter T30 H-Line S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.1%).
Does the 2020 Transporter T30 H-Line S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,833 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.