2011 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
52,640 MOT tests on the 2011 Vauxhall Combo are in this dataset, and 75.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 26.6% of the time, so this is 1.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.5%) and suspension (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 4,000 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 7,648 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 7,280 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.6% | 3,994 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.4% | 3,886 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.2% | 3,811 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.1% | 3,226 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 4,000 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,198 |
| 3 | Washers | 2,626 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,277 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 2,273 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,270 |
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 | 27.4% | 14,405 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.2% | 14,317 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.2% | 13,273 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.9% | 9,951 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 6,790 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 6,159 |
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 | 1,472 | 24.1% |
| 30-60k | 9,246 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 11,265 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 11,035 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 9,494 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 9,302 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 52,303 | 25.0% |
| Petrol | 327 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,877 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 11,257 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 10,797 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 9,959 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 8,750 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Combo
On a 2011 Combo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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.
- Visibility (7.6% 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 2011 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 52,640 2011 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Vauxhall Combo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2011 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 52,640 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.