Vauxhall Combo: what fails at MOT
142,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Combo in 2024, counted. 37.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
37.9% of Vauxhall Combo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25%, so the Combo does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.6% of tests), suspension (9.4% of tests) and brakes (7% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,866 | 27.8% | 10.9% | 40,100 25,600 to 54,700 |
| 2020 | 20,652 | 28.6% | 11.5% | 46,800 30,800 to 63,500 |
| 2019 | 19,858 | 26.3% | 13.4% | 52,100 35,200 to 70,600 |
| 2018 | 3,600 | 32.1% | 15.6% | 64,500 44,500 to 87,100 |
| 2017 | 4,261 | 36.9% | 18.2% | 79,600 57,400 to 103,500 |
| 2016 | 5,880 | 40.5% | 21.3% | 93,100 69,500 to 119,400 |
| 2015 | 6,092 | 41.0% | 24.4% | 99,700 78,500 to 125,900 |
| 2014 | 5,708 | 41.2% | 27.7% | 105,700 80,700 to 130,200 |
| 2013 | 4,040 | 45.0% | 30.6% | 107,800 84,600 to 135,500 |
| 2012 | 3,758 | 48.0% | 33.4% | 114,500 89,800 to 140,000 |
| 2011 | 10,183 | 41.3% | 36.1% | 103,400 70,400 to 141,400 |
| 2010 | 9,543 | 43.6% | 38.6% | 101,100 69,100 to 140,200 |
| 2009 | 5,844 | 48.5% | 39.8% | 117,700 90,400 to 148,000 |
| 2008 | 7,700 | 50.5% | 41.5% | 126,300 100,700 to 153,800 |
| 2007 | 6,555 | 51.4% | 41.5% | 130,600 103,900 to 157,700 |
| 2006 | 4,975 | 52.0% | 42.4% | 126,800 102,800 to 153,100 |
| 2005 | 3,379 | 50.4% | 42.2% | 125,800 101,000 to 155,300 |
| 2004 | 3,083 | 52.8% | 42.3% | 139,700 111,200 to 163,900 |
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 Combo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Combo | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 12.6% | 6.8% | More than most |
| Suspension | 9.4% | 5.3% | More than most |
| Brakes | 7.0% | 4.1% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 6.7% | 2.9% | More than most |
| Tyres | 6.0% | 4.0% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 3.9% | 2.1% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.2% | 1.9% | More than most |
| Steering | 2.6% | 1.2% | More than most |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim4.3%
- Tyre4.0%
- Wipers3.6%
- Headlamp3.3%
- Washers3.2%
- Coil spring3.2%
- Tyre tread2.4%
- Side light2.3%
- Brake pads2.1%
- Brake light2.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.9%
- Brake light: not working1.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
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 edge16.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.2%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.2%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)4.0%
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?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Vauxhall Combo'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.