2007 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
38,401 MOT tests on the 2007 Vauxhall Combo are in this dataset, and 67.7% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 29.1% of the time, so this is 3.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (19.2%) and lighting & signalling (18.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,193 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 37.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.1% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.2% | 7,377 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 6,908 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.7% | 5,266 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.3% | 3,592 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.7% | 3,346 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 3,142 |
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 | 3,193 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,866 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 2,834 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,263 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2,123 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2,016 |
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 | 41.0% | 15,737 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.4% | 14,725 |
| 3 | Tyres | 34.1% | 13,106 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.5% | 8,643 |
| 5 | Other defects | 22.1% | 8,477 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 6,585 |
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 | 445 | 37.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,039 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,105 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 10,172 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 10,624 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 10,198 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 37,989 | 32.3% |
| Petrol | 409 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,559 | 32.2% |
| 2022 | 9,197 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 7,754 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 6,171 | 32.2% |
| 2025 | 4,720 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Combo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (19.2% 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 (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 2007 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 38,401 2007 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2007 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 37.3% in the 0-30k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,401 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.