2003 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,901 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Vauxhall Combo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 65.5% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.1% | 3,150 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 2,912 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 2,457 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 1,816 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.4% | 1,407 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.6% | 1,274 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,420 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,317 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,160 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,115 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,043 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 938 |
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 | 44.6% | 6,649 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 5,735 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.9% | 4,753 |
| 4 | Other defects | 27.4% | 4,080 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 27.4% | 4,078 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 3,315 |
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 | 210 | 41.9% |
| 30-60k | 228 | 26.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,605 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,389 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,941 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 4,993 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,313 | 34.7% |
| Petrol | 570 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,817 | 34.8% |
| 2022 | 3,770 | 34.7% |
| 2023 | 2,797 | 34.2% |
| 2024 | 2,071 | 34.4% |
| 2025 | 1,446 | 33.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Combo
Before buying a 2003 Vauxhall Combo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 21.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (21.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.5% 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 2003 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
65.5% of the 14,901 2003 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.5%).
Does the 2003 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 41.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,901 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.