Vauxhall Antara: what fails at MOT
31,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Antara in 2024, counted. 43.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
43.3% of Vauxhall Antara tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 31.1%, so the Antara does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (17.6% of tests), suspension (9.9% of tests) and brakes (8.1% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,260 | 39.0% | 21.3% | 65,400 51,800 to 82,700 |
| 2015 | 3,113 | 39.6% | 24.4% | 70,200 56,600 to 86,900 |
| 2014 | 3,954 | 41.1% | 27.7% | 78,700 62,600 to 96,100 |
| 2013 | 10,067 | 42.4% | 30.6% | 83,700 68,300 to 101,500 |
| 2012 | 8,546 | 45.4% | 33.4% | 87,700 71,700 to 104,600 |
| 2011 | 1,292 | 45.0% | 36.1% | 97,400 81,600 to 116,000 |
| 2010 | 359 | 52.4% | 38.6% | 96,500 81,800 to 117,900 |
| 2009 | 1,003 | 47.4% | 39.8% | 104,300 88,700 to 120,500 |
| 2008 | 789 | 51.2% | 41.5% | 109,900 92,000 to 125,800 |
| 2007 | 484 | 44.6% | 41.5% | 110,200 91,800 to 129,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Antara tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Antara | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.6% | 8.9% | More than most |
| Suspension | 9.9% | 7.6% | More than most |
| Brakes | 8.1% | 5.1% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.4% | 4.7% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 4.4% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.0% | 3.2% | |
| Body and structure | 2.8% | 2.5% | |
| Steering | 1.2% | 1.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light6.6%
- Brake light5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.5%
- Reversing lights3.1%
- Headlamp3.0%
- Tyre2.9%
- Tyre tread2.9%
- Headlamp aim2.8%
- Coil spring2.6%
- Number plate light2.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working6.5%
- Brake light: not working5.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.4%
- Reversing lights: inoperative3.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.3%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive13.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.6%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil5.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
Check a Vauxhall Antara's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.