2001 Vauxhall Brava — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 443 MOT tests, the 2001 Vauxhall Brava recorded a 73.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, prescribed areas and chassis condition — headlamp alone was recorded 35 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 59 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 54 |
| 4 | Suspension | 12.0% | 53 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 35 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 32 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 32 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 28 |
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 | 38.1% | 169 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.3% | 130 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.2% | 76 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 58 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.6% | 56 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 48 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 103 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 96 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 96 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 101 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 91 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 74 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 62 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Brava
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% 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+.
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 2001 Vauxhall Bravas pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 443 2001 Vauxhall Brava MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Brava?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by brakes (13.3%).
Does the 2001 Brava get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 443 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.