2001 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
822 MOT tests on the 2001 Vauxhall Combo are in this dataset, and 68.0% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), the 2001 Combo comes out 2.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.6%) and suspension (16.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 87 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.9% in the 30-60k band and 35.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 32.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 161 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.8% | 138 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.4% | 118 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 100 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.8% | 89 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 87 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 86 |
| 3 | Wipers | 54 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 52 |
| 5 | Washers | 51 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 50 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.2% | 322 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.1% | 256 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.7% | 244 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 25.3% | 208 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 180 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 171 |
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 | 201 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 218 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 169 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 174 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 281 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 195 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 147 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 108 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 91 | 35.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Combo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.8% 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.
- Brakes (14.4% 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.
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 Combos pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 822 2001 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Combo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (16.8%).
Does the 2001 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 822 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.