Vauxhall Vectra MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 38,789 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vectra carried out in 2023. 46% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 5 in 10 Vectras passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2009. Compared with other cars of the same age, 1998 models did best (71% passed, +7.4 points against the average for 25-year-old cars), while 1997 models fared worst (58%, −6.6 points). Tested cars had covered 116,752 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 19.5% of tests (well above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 8.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 38,789
- First-time pass rate
- 54%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −17.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 116,752
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Vectra?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Vectra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2,071 | 55% | 59% | −3.9 points | 114,549 |
| 2008 | 11,871 | 54% | 57% | −3.2 points | 115,377 |
| 2007 | 10,478 | 54% | 57% | −3.3 points | 119,226 |
| 2006 | 6,025 | 54% | 56% | −2.6 points | 119,967 |
| 2005 | 2,955 | 54% | 56% | −2.0 points | 122,223 |
| 2004 | 1,732 | 53% | 56% | −2.8 points | 116,766 |
| 2003 | 952 | 51% | 57% | −5.6 points | 111,643 |
| 2002 | 737 | 58% | 58% | +0.8 points | 104,844 |
| 2001 | 741 | 61% | 59% | +2.5 points | 102,379 |
| 2000 | 490 | 60% | 61% | −0.4 points | 102,497 |
| 1999 | 346 | 64% | 62% | +1.1 points | 108,717 |
| 1998 | 223 | 71% | 64% | +7.4 points | 96,835 |
| 1997 | 121 | 58% | 64% | −6.6 points | 99,953 |
Why the Vauxhall Vectra fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Vectra | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 19.5% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 18.8% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 18.7% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 8.4% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 8.3% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 7.7% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 1.6% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.7% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken8.4%
- 2not working6.9%
- 3efficiency below requirements5.3%
- 4excessively corroded5.1%
- 5ball joint excessively worn5.1%
- 6projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.3%
- 7tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.9%
- 8inoperative on one side3.7%
- 9pin or bush excessively worn3.4%
- 10ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.2%
Common Vectra MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Vectra, 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 | 20.6% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.0% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 18.5% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 13.8% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 11.3% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 11.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.5% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.8% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.8% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 8.5% |
Tips to help your Vectra pass
Based on where Vectras most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 18.8% of Vectra 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 · 18.7% of Vectra 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 Vectra ULEZ compliant? See the Vauxhall Vectra ULEZ check, or view all Vauxhall models.
Other Vauxhall models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 38,789 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Vectra 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 38,789 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Vectra.
What is the Vauxhall Vectra MOT failure rate?
In our data, 46% of 38,789 first MOT attempts on the Vauxhall Vectra ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Vauxhall Vectra fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (19.5% of tests), lights and electrics (18.8% of tests), brakes (18.7% of tests).
Which Vectra year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 1998 cars performed best: 71% passed first time, +7.4 points against the average for 25-year-old cars. The weakest was 1997, at 58% (−6.6 points).
How many miles had a typical Vauxhall Vectra covered at its MOT?
The average was 116,752 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2009 cars averaged 114,549 miles and 1997 cars 99,953.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Vauxhall Vectra?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 20.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.4% of Vectras failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Vectra's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 38,789 Vectras in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 51% to 71% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- 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 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 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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