2000 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Vauxhall Combo passed 69.6% of its 414 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.7%, so the 2000 Combo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 75 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2000 Combo fails 25.6% of the time in the 30-60k band and 27.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 30.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 38.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 76 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 62 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.7% | 40 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 37 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 22 |
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 | 75 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 28 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 4 | Wipers | 27 |
| 5 | Washers | 27 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 26 |
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 | 28.7% | 119 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 118 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.6% | 110 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 89 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 82 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 64 |
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 | 39 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 97 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 156 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 35.3% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 374 | 30.8% |
| Petrol | 40 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 136 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 94 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 79 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 61 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 44 | 38.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Combo
On a 2000 Combo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (9.7% 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 2000 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 414 2000 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Combo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2000 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.6% in the 30-60k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 414 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.