Vauxhall Ampera
From 2,093 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Amperas fare better: 2015 models pass at 78.7% vs 74.8% for 2012.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a direction indicator lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, caused 82 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.
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 82 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 80 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 60 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 59 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 45 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 44 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 40 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 25 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 24 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 24 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 42.9% of Ampera failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 21.3% 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 £119.
Vauxhall Ampera on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 12 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 12.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 1,092 | 72 | +0 | -0 | +2 |
| 2025 Q2 | 1,093 | 69 | +0 | -0 | +6 |
| 2025 Q1 | 1,088 | 68 | +0 | -3 | -3 |
| 2024 Q4 | 1,101 | 58 | +0 | -9 | -9 |
| 2024 Q3 | 1,122 | 46 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2024 Q2 | 1,129 | 51 | +0 | -0 | +10 |
| 2024 Q1 | 1,121 | 49 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2023 Q4 | 1,140 | 42 | +0 | -2 | -2 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ampera Electron Cvt | Range Extended Electric | 712 | 66% |
| Ampera Positiv Cvt | Range Extended Electric | 368 | 34% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 78.7% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 76.8% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 84% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2012 | 74.8% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all Amperas tested had between 52,066 and 124,416 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,557 median miles, the Ampera has 0.026 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Vauxhall models
| Vauxhall Corsa | 70.9% |
| Vauxhall Astra | 72.5% |
| Vauxhall Vivaro | 67.2% |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 76.7% |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 75.3% |
Common questions
What is the Vauxhall Ampera MOT pass rate?
The Vauxhall Ampera has a 77.6% MOT pass rate based on 2,093 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Ampera?
The most common MOT failure on the Vauxhall Ampera is engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, which caused 82 failures. Other common issues include a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
How many Vauxhall Amperas are on UK roads?
There are 1,092 Vauxhall Amperas currently licensed on UK roads, with 72 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Vauxhall Ampera at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Vauxhall Ampera is 87,557 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 52,066 and 124,416 miles.
Buying a used Ampera?
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.
With a 77.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £119 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 42.9% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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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.