The picture
Transporter T28 Startline Tdi: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 5,064 MOT tests, the Transporter T28 Startline Tdi returns 79.8% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A number-plate lamp out and shock absorber damaged to the extent round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 49,077, 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
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
185 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
173 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 03
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
152 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 04
A tyre seriously damaged
132 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 05
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
96 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 06
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
88 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
- 07
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
83 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 08
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
55 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
A tyre cords visible or damaged
51 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 10
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
47 occurrences · 0.9% 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
£88–£275
If every one of this Transporter T28 Startline Tdi'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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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.
Buying or keeping a Transporter T28 Startline Tdi?
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 T28 Startline Tdi 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.