2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 694 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 89.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 7.5% | 52 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 39 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 30 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 8 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 4 | Washers | 11 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.6% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 71 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.5% | 59 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 21 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 16 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 6 |
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 | 466 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 205 | 10.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 357 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 314 | 7.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Combo Elite S/S Auto
Before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 7.5% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (7.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Autos pass their MOT?
89.6% of the 694 2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Combo Elite S/S Auto?
Visibility, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.6%).
Does the 2021 Combo Elite S/S Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 10.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 694 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.