2017 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
24,087 MOT tests on the 2017 Vauxhall Combo are in this dataset, and 77.1% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 17.7% of the time, so this is 5.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (11.1%) 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 malfunction indicator lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,520 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.1% versus 17.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 3,045 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 2,678 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,643 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 1,273 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 1,013 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 922 |
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 | 1,520 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,175 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,064 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 995 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 842 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 791 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.6% | 6,155 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 3,344 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.6% | 3,281 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.0% | 2,158 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 1,599 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.1% | 1,472 |
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 | 2,194 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 7,055 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 7,964 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,546 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,681 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 642 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,766 | 23.0% |
| Petrol | 321 | 18.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,988 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 4,996 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 4,849 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 4,749 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 4,505 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Combo
On a 2017 Combo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2017 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 24,087 2017 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Vauxhall Combo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2017 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,087 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.