Opel Manta
From 438 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a headlamp or light source missing and inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 17 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.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 17 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 13 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 9 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 8 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 6 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 5 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 5 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 5 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 5 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 4 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 27.3% of Manta failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 6.5% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £122.
Opel Manta on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 15 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 15. Now at 4.9% of its peak (25,680 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 347 | 922 | +0 | -0 | +9 |
| 2025 Q2 | 351 | 909 | +0 | -0 | +4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 283 | 973 | +0 | -0 | +6 |
| 2024 Q4 | 281 | 969 | +0 | -15 | -15 |
| 2024 Q3 | 344 | 921 | +2 | -0 | +11 |
| 2024 Q2 | 340 | 914 | +0 | -0 | +30 |
| 2024 Q1 | 273 | 951 | +0 | -37 | -37 |
| 2023 Q4 | 276 | 985 | +0 | -0 | +5 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manta Gte | Petrol | 71 | 37% |
| Manta Berlinetta | Petrol | 64 | 33% |
| Manta 1900 | Petrol | 57 | 30% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 92% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
Typical mileage
Half of all Mantas tested had between 15,998 and 67,204 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 38,222 median miles, the Manta has 0.027 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Common questions
What is the Opel Manta MOT pass rate?
The Opel Manta has a 89.7% MOT pass rate based on 438 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Opel Manta?
The most common MOT failure on the Opel Manta is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 17 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
How many Opel Mantas are on UK roads?
There are 347 Opel Mantas currently licensed on UK roads, with 922 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Opel Manta at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Opel Manta is 38,222 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 15,998 and 67,204 miles.
Buying a used Manta?
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.
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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.