Vauxhall Calibra
From 1,181 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are emissions levels exceed default limits, 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, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, emissions levels exceed default limits, caused 42 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 42 |
| 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 | 36 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 26 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 24 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 18 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 17 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 16 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 16 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 16 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 37.6% of Calibra failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 11.4% 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 £171.
Vauxhall Calibra on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 63 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 63. At this rate, roughly 31.2 years until none remain. Now at 5.6% of its peak (35,844 in 1997 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 343 | 1,656 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2025 Q2 | 350 | 1,663 | +0 | -2 | -2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 308 | 1,707 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2024 Q4 | 296 | 1,733 | +0 | -33 | -33 |
| 2024 Q3 | 355 | 1,707 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
| 2024 Q2 | 364 | 1,708 | +0 | -0 | +14 |
| 2024 Q1 | 346 | 1,712 | +0 | -45 | -45 |
| 2023 Q4 | 354 | 1,749 | +0 | -0 | +12 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 80.2% | 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, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1996 | 81% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1995 | 79.3% | emissions levels exceed default limits, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 1994 | 78.2% | 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, emissions test unable to be completed |
Typical mileage
Half of all Calibras tested had between 68,834 and 123,622 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 95,641 median miles, the Calibra has 0.02 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 Calibra MOT pass rate?
The Vauxhall Calibra has a 80.4% MOT pass rate based on 1,181 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Calibra?
The most common MOT failure on the Vauxhall Calibra is emissions levels exceed default limits, which caused 42 failures. Other common issues include 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.
How many Vauxhall Calibras are on UK roads?
There are 343 Vauxhall Calibras currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,656 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Vauxhall Calibra at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Vauxhall Calibra is 95,641 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 68,834 and 123,622 miles.
Buying a used Calibra?
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 80.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £171 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 37.6% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.