Vauxhall Combo MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 107,188 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Combo carried out in 2023. 41% 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 Combos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1999 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2010 models did best (59% passed, −1.8 points against the average for 13-year-old cars), while 2017 models fared worst (63%, −18.7 points). Tested cars had covered 88,990 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 18.4% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.7% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 107,188
- First-time pass rate
- 59%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −12.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 88,990
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Combo?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Combo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 405 | 80% | 91% | −11.3 points | 33,990 |
| 2020 | 14,164 | 69% | 88% | −18.3 points | 38,241 |
| 2019 | 16,327 | 70% | 86% | −15.8 points | 45,288 |
| 2018 | 3,084 | 66% | 84% | −18.4 points | 57,761 |
| 2017 | 3,795 | 63% | 82% | −18.7 points | 74,085 |
| 2016 | 5,405 | 62% | 79% | −17.1 points | 86,740 |
| 2015 | 5,644 | 59% | 75% | −16.7 points | 96,306 |
| 2014 | 5,314 | 58% | 72% | −13.2 points | 99,680 |
| 2013 | 3,655 | 54% | 68% | −14.1 points | 107,164 |
| 2012 | 3,320 | 51% | 66% | −14.4 points | 111,915 |
| 2011 | 8,301 | 61% | 63% | −2.0 points | 102,884 |
| 2010 | 7,651 | 59% | 60% | −1.8 points | 104,707 |
| 2009 | 4,654 | 52% | 59% | −7.3 points | 118,974 |
| 2008 | 6,491 | 49% | 57% | −8.8 points | 127,117 |
| 2007 | 5,506 | 47% | 57% | −10.3 points | 129,967 |
| 2006 | 4,462 | 47% | 56% | −9.6 points | 128,086 |
| 2005 | 3,103 | 47% | 56% | −9.2 points | 127,444 |
| 2004 | 2,756 | 46% | 56% | −10.2 points | 140,165 |
| 2003 | 2,040 | 46% | 57% | −10.5 points | 137,558 |
| 2002 | 736 | 46% | 58% | −11.2 points | 142,367 |
| 2001 | 110 | 48% | 59% | −10.5 points | 116,878 |
| 2000 | 62 | 53% | 61% | −7.3 points | 107,875 |
| 1999 | 63 | 49% | 62% | −13.3 points | 107,552 |
Why the Vauxhall Combo fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Combo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 18.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 16.1% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 10.8% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 10.1% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 9.0% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 5.8% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.8% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 3.9% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.7%
- 2fractured or broken6.9%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively5.3%
- 4ball joint excessively worn3.8%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
- 6not working on dipped beam3.3%
- 7has ply or cords exposed2.8%
- 8projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid2.8%
- 10less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
Common Combo MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Combo, 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 | 20.7% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.2% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 9.6% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 7.0% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 6.4% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 6.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.9% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.8% |
Tips to help your Combo pass
Based on where Combos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 18.4% of Combo 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 · 10.8% of Combo 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.
Visibility · 10.1% of Combo tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Combo ULEZ compliant? See the Vauxhall Combo ULEZ check, or view all Vauxhall models.
Other Vauxhall models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 107,188 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Combo 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 107,188 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Combo.
What is the Vauxhall Combo MOT failure rate?
In our data, 41% of 107,188 first MOT attempts on the Vauxhall Combo ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Vauxhall Combo fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (18.4% of tests), suspension (16.1% of tests), brakes (10.8% of tests).
Which Combo year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2010 cars performed best: 59% passed first time, −1.8 points against the average for 13-year-old cars. The weakest was 2017, at 63% (−18.7 points).
How many miles had a typical Vauxhall Combo covered at its MOT?
The average was 88,990 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 33,990 miles and 1999 cars 107,552.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Vauxhall Combo?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 9.0% of Combos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Combo's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 107,188 Combos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 46% to 80% 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
Check any Combo's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.