2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 81.8% of Volkswagen Transporters first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 37,168 Transporter first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Transporters first used in 2021 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transporters first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transporter figure was 5.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Transporter | All cars first used 2021 | Transporter first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 82 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 106 |
| 2023 | 88.9% | 90.8% | 506 |
| 2024 | 81.8% | 87.6% | 18,381 |
| 2025 | 81.8% | 87.2% | 18,281 |
Common 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT failures
Share of the 6,740 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 14.3% | 964 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 11.5% | 778 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 9.1% | 612 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 9.0% | 608 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.8% | 528 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Transporter in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Transporters, as a share of all 37,168 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.2% | 4,165 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.7% | 3,235 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 2.7% | 994 |
| Nail in tyre | 2.3% | 842 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 2.3% | 837 |
Questions about the 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter?
In 2025, 81.8% of Transporters first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Transporter most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 29.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (28.9%) and tyres (27.9%). The single most common item was “Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak” (14.3%).
How often does a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter fail its MOT?
In 2025, 18.2% of first tests on Transporters first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 14.7% failed, and a further 3.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,740 of 37,168 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Transporter MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.7%), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (2.7%), “Nail in tyre” (2.3%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (2.3%).
Is a 2021 Volkswagen Transporter reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 88.9% in 2023 to 81.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2021 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2021 Ford Transit Custom MOT statistics · 2021 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2021 Tesla Model 3 MOT statistics · 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2021 Transporter?
The numbers above cover every Transporter first used in 2021 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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