1999 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 425 MOT tests, the 1999 Vauxhall Combo recorded a 72.2% pass rate. That is 1.9 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.3%) and suspension (14.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, washers and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 70 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.9% in the 30-60k band and 32.8% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 65 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.1% | 60 |
| 3 | Visibility | 11.5% | 49 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 42 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.2% | 39 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 70 |
| 2 | Washers | 29 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 24 |
| 4 | Wipers | 23 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 21 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 20 |
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 | 31.1% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.2% | 120 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.5% | 104 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.5% | 104 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 82 |
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 | 46 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 113 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 58 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 347 | 28.8% |
| Petrol | 78 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 139 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 111 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 82 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 49 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 44 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Combo
On a 1999 Combo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Visibility (11.5% 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.
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 1999 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 425 1999 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Vauxhall Combo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.1%).
Does the 1999 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 425 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.