The picture
Transporter Se Tdi S-A: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 805 MOT tests, the Transporter Se Tdi S-A returns 86.8% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. Windscreen damage and shock absorber damaged to the extent round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 31,234, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A tyre seriously damaged
27 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
23 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 03
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
18 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 04
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
10 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 05
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
7 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
6 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
Reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface
6 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
A tyre cords visible or damaged
4 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 09
Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 10
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£100–£205
If every one of this Transporter SE Tdi S A's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Transporter SE Tdi S A?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Transporter SE Tdi S A and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.