2008 Chevrolet Tacuma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 749 MOT tests, the 2008 Chevrolet Tacuma recorded a 68.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.8% of the time, so this is 5.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.3% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, prescribed areas and headlamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 84 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 0-30k band and 34.8% in the 90-120k band, a 14.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.6% in 2021 to 24.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 122 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 89 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 72 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.0% | 60 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 58 |
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 | 84 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 72 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 51 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 6 | Wipers | 44 |
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 | 39.1% | 293 |
| 2 | Tyres | 36.9% | 276 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 34.3% | 257 |
| 4 | Suspension | 27.0% | 202 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.9% | 149 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 145 |
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 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 270 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 326 | 36.2% |
| 90-120k | 89 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 284 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 196 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 132 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 88 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 49 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Tacuma
On a 2008 Tacuma, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.9% 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.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
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 2008 Chevrolet Tacumas pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 749 2008 Chevrolet Tacuma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chevrolet Tacuma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.9%).
Does the 2008 Tacuma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 749 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.