Vauxhall Antara MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 22,418 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Antara carried out in 2023. 43% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 Antaras passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2007 to 2016. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2008 models did best (55% passed, −2.6 points against the average for 15-year-old cars), while 2016 models fared worst (63%, −15.2 points). Tested cars had covered 81,226 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 25.4% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 15.8% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 22,418
- First-time pass rate
- 57%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −14.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 81,226
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Antara?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Antara MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 834 | 63% | 79% | −15.2 points | 59,874 |
| 2015 | 2,139 | 62% | 75% | −13.8 points | 66,210 |
| 2014 | 2,739 | 59% | 72% | −12.3 points | 73,420 |
| 2013 | 7,162 | 58% | 68% | −10.7 points | 80,185 |
| 2012 | 6,329 | 56% | 66% | −9.3 points | 84,073 |
| 2011 | 962 | 51% | 63% | −11.7 points | 93,556 |
| 2010 | 283 | 55% | 60% | −5.0 points | 98,270 |
| 2009 | 850 | 53% | 59% | −5.6 points | 99,559 |
| 2008 | 665 | 55% | 57% | −2.6 points | 106,460 |
| 2007 | 445 | 47% | 57% | −10.2 points | 108,517 |
Why the Vauxhall Antara fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Antara | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 25.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 13.5% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 11.3% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 7.7% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.1% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 6.0% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working15.8%
- 2pin or bush excessively worn4.9%
- 3inoperative4.1%
- 4fractured or broken4.1%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick3.4%
- 7not working on dipped beam3.1%
- 8inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.0%
- 9inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.8%
- 10does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
Common Antara MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Antara, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 20.2% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.1% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 12.8% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 12.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.3% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 8.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.2% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 8.0% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.7% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.3% |
Tips to help your Antara pass
Based on where Antaras most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 25.4% of Antara tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 11.3% of Antara tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Antara ULEZ compliant? See the Vauxhall Antara ULEZ check, or view all Vauxhall models.
Other Vauxhall models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 22,418 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Antara carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 22,418 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Antara.
What is the Vauxhall Antara MOT failure rate?
In our data, 43% of 22,418 first MOT attempts on the Vauxhall Antara ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Vauxhall Antara fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (25.4% of tests), suspension (13.5% of tests), brakes (11.3% of tests).
Which Antara year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2008 cars performed best: 55% passed first time, −2.6 points against the average for 15-year-old cars. The weakest was 2016, at 63% (−15.2 points).
How many miles had a typical Vauxhall Antara covered at its MOT?
The average was 81,226 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2016 cars averaged 59,874 miles and 2007 cars 108,517.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Vauxhall Antara?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.2% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.7% of Antaras failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Antara's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 22,418 Antaras in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 47% to 63% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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