Volkswagen Transporter T32
VanFrom 286 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut and bolt or stud. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 8 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 8 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 7 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 6 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 6 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 5 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 4 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 2 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 2 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1 |
| actuator insecure or inadequately mounted and braking performance not affected | 1 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 23.8% of Transporter T32 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 38.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £110.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all Transporter T32s tested had between 27,270 and 64,898 miles on the clock.
At 45,692 median miles, the Transporter T32 has 0.031 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volkswagen models
| Volkswagen Golf | 79.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 84.6% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Volkswagen Transporter T32 MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Transporter T32 has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 286 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Transporter T32?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Transporter T32 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 8 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Transporter T32 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Transporter T32 is 45,692 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 27,270 and 64,898 miles.
Buying a used Transporter T32?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
Van insurance works differently to car insurance. Make sure you're comparing like-for-like quotes for your use case. Compare van insurance.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.