CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 7,096 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,637

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1637/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel1968cc5 years old7,096 tests44k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,637
Per month£136/mo
Per week£31/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 5 years old, 86% of VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDIs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 7,096 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 43,504 miles.

Got a VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars3023th of 3,373(top 90%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models599th of 1,118(top 54%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2021 cars average-6%(92% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

43,504

Average miles

vs

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI has 43,504 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 2020 model has the lowest at 86%. The 2021 sits between the two at 86%.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202290%7332,307 mi
202186%7,09643,504 mi
202086%5,45055,302 mi
201987%2,22169,876 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Volkswagen Transporter t28 startline tdi

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI

The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI is a family car with a 1968cc diesel engine. 7,096 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 90% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 43,504 miles at 5 years old, VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,637 136/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI Reliability Trend

The VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI

At 5 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 90%. With 7,096 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI(2021)86%£1037£195Grp 18-32£1637
FORD FOCUS(2019)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£137
FORD KUGA(2019)91%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1482-£155
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£137
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)87%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632-£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volkswagen Models

Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volkswagen Transporter t28 startline tdi.

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER T28 STARTLINE TDI? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB