2021 Vauxhall Grandland — MOT failures & pass rate
24,828 MOT tests on the 2021 Vauxhall Grandland are in this dataset, and 91.5% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.1%, so the 2021 Grandland sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and brakes (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 747 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.5% once past 90-120k — 2.6× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 8.5% of the time against 8.6% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 1,157 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.3% | 559 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 482 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 386 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 141 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 101 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 747 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 383 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 318 |
| 4 | Washers | 233 |
| 5 | Wipers | 194 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 152 |
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 | 22.6% | 5,611 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 3,840 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.2% | 1,792 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 459 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 315 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 191 |
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 | 12,627 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 11,121 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,007 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 17.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,819 | 8.6% |
| Diesel | 2,764 | 8.5% |
| Hybrid | 245 | 9.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,045 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 12,286 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 11,487 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Grandland
On a 2021 Grandland, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.7% 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.
- Brakes (2.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Vauxhall Grandlands pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 24,828 2021 Vauxhall Grandland MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Grandland?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by brakes (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Grandland get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,828 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.