2000 Vauxhall Brava — MOT failures & pass rate
356 MOT tests on the 2000 Vauxhall Brava are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.6%, so the 2000 Brava sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.0%) and body, structure & corrosion (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — chassis condition alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.0% in the 60-90k band and 34.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.9% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 50 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.9% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.6% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 21 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.8% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 33 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 21 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 19 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.8% | 131 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.9% | 117 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.6% | 102 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.1% | 61 |
| 5 | Steering | 13.5% | 48 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 45 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 60 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 105 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 109 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 83 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 65 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 64 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 57 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Brava
On a 2000 Brava, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 2000 Vauxhall Bravas pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 356 2000 Vauxhall Brava MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Brava?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.2%).
Does the 2000 Brava get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 60-90k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 356 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.