2006 Chevrolet Tacuma — MOT failures & pass rate
670 MOT tests on the 2006 Chevrolet Tacuma are in this dataset, and 70.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.1% of the time, so this is 2.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and suspension (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, component mounting prescribed areas and prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 65 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 44.7% versus 21.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.4% in 2021 to 27.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 99 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 83 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 67 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.1% | 61 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 48 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 65 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 52 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 50 |
| 4 | Wipers | 48 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 43 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 40 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.9% | 234 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 33.7% | 226 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.3% | 203 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.6% | 185 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 111 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.2% | 102 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 32 | 21.9% |
| 30-60k | 220 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 300 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 94 | 44.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 271 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 160 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 106 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 79 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 54 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Tacuma
On a 2006 Tacuma, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Chevrolet Tacumas pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 670 2006 Chevrolet Tacuma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chevrolet Tacuma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2006 Tacuma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 0-30k band to 44.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 670 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.