Vauxhall common problems and MOT failures

From 4,741,627 MOT tests in 2024, 21.4% of Vauxhall vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.

Top Vauxhall MOT failure reasons

#	Problem	Occurrences	% of failures
1	suspension pin, bush or joint worn	157,995	16.9%
2	spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	147,942	15.8%
3	tyre tread depth outside legal limits	100,532	10.8%
4	the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements	83,459	8.9%
5	tyre seriously damaged	83,302	8.9%
6	brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm	83,207	8.9%
7	wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	72,832	7.8%
8	lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	69,566	7.4%
9	windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	69,259	7.4%
10	engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction	65,726	7.0%

What this means if you're buying a Vauxhall

The single most common MOT failure for Vauxhall is suspension pin, bush or joint worn, accounting for 17% of all failure items. Suspension repairs typically cost £150–£400 depending on the component.

These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Vauxhall vehicles. If you're viewing a used Vauxhall, it's worth checking these areas specifically.

Vauxhall models by MOT pass rate

Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.

Model	Tests	Pass rate
Tigra	12,999	70.1%
Vectra	46,149	71.5%
Vivaro	356,488	72%
Astravan	12,267	72.8%
Antara	40,539	74.4%
Combo	146,819	75%
Movano	90,192	75.2%
Agila	57,081	75.2%
Meriva	150,464	75.9%
Zafira	314,942	76%
Corsa	1,196,303	77.2%
Astra	979,744	77.9%
Insignia	315,992	80.1%
Mokka	341,052	81.3%
Adam	103,994	81.5%

Buying a specific Vauxhall? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.

Check MOT history on GOV.UK