2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Highline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,052 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Highline, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 87.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.7% in the 120-150k group versus 7.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 207 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 173 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 170 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 78 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 66 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 49 |
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 | 139 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 108 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 94 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 83 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 59 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 49 |
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 | 17.6% | 712 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 520 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.2% | 249 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.7% | 231 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.7% | 230 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 92 |
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 | 1,455 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,603 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 659 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 250 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 3.3% |
| 2024 | 1,998 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 2,023 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transporter T30 Highline
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Highline, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (4.3% 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.
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 T30 Highlines pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 4,052 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Highline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter T30 Highline?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.3%).
Does the 2021 Transporter T30 Highline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,052 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.