Vauxhall Carlton
From 558 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 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, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded and emissions test unable to be completed. 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 33 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 | 33 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 19 |
| emissions test unable to be completed | 12 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 12 |
| leaking brake pipe or connection on a hydraulic system | 9 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 8 |
| fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap | 6 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 6 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 6 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 5 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 28.4% of Carlton failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 37.1% 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 £180.
Vauxhall Carlton on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 24 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 24. At this rate, roughly 43.5 years until none remain. Now at 0.6% of its peak (188,145 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 193 | 851 | +0 | -0 | +2 |
| 2025 Q2 | 193 | 849 | +0 | -1 | -1 |
| 2025 Q1 | 144 | 899 | +0 | -12 | -12 |
| 2024 Q4 | 145 | 910 | +0 | -11 | -11 |
| 2024 Q3 | 180 | 886 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2024 Q2 | 195 | 885 | +0 | -0 | +8 |
| 2024 Q1 | 163 | 909 | +0 | -9 | -9 |
| 2023 Q4 | 152 | 929 | +0 | -8 | -8 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 79.6% | 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 |
| 1991 | 84.3% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, leaking brake pipe or connection on a hydraulic system |
Typical mileage
Half of all Carltons tested had between 61,929 and 119,775 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 81,993 median miles, the Carlton has 0.021 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 Carlton MOT pass rate?
The Vauxhall Carlton has a 82.8% MOT pass rate based on 558 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Carlton?
The most common MOT failure on the Vauxhall Carlton 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 33 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
How many Vauxhall Carltons are on UK roads?
There are 193 Vauxhall Carltons currently licensed on UK roads, with 851 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Vauxhall Carlton at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Vauxhall Carlton is 81,993 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 61,929 and 119,775 miles.
Buying a used Carlton?
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 82.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £180 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 28.4% 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.