Vauxhall Vectra: what fails at MOT
37,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vectra in 2024, counted. 45.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
45.2% of Vauxhall Vectra tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 41.6%, so the Vectra does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (13.2% of tests), lights and electrics (13% of tests) and brakes (12.5% of tests). It fails on 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2,188 | 45.3% | 39.8% | 115,300 90,200 to 139,900 |
| 2008 | 12,874 | 45.5% | 41.5% | 114,400 89,700 to 140,800 |
| 2007 | 11,123 | 44.9% | 41.5% | 117,600 93,500 to 145,600 |
| 2006 | 6,182 | 43.6% | 42.4% | 117,200 92,400 to 145,100 |
| 2005 | 2,948 | 46.7% | 42.2% | 116,900 90,700 to 145,100 |
| 2004 | 1,670 | 47.5% | 42.3% | 114,800 86,400 to 144,200 |
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 Vectra tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Vectra | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13.2% | 11.3% | |
| Lights and electrics | 13.0% | 13.8% | |
| Brakes | 12.5% | 8.1% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 5.9% | 5.4% | |
| Tyres | 5.7% | 4.9% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 5.6% | 4.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.4% | 4.6% | |
| Steering | 1.0% | 2.4% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim4.8%
- Coil spring4.6%
- Brake test4.2%
- Brake pipes4.0%
- Tyre3.6%
- Headlamp3.4%
- Exhaust system3.3%
- Side light3.1%
- Wipers2.9%
- Tyre tread2.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.5%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements3.6%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.5%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded3.1%
- Side light: not working2.9%
- Handbrake: inoperative on one side2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.3%
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%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive14.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material11.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.2%
- Coil spring: corroded8.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.8%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened6.6%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Vauxhall Vectra'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.