2006 Vauxhall Monaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 738 MOT tests, the 2006 Vauxhall Monaro recorded an 88.5% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2006 Monaro comes out 15.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.9%) and emissions & environmental (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and track rod end — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 25 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 2.4% in the 120-150k band, a 5.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 22.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 36 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.9% | 21 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 22 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 12 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 10 |
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 | 22.8% | 168 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 106 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.0% | 96 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.7% | 57 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 47 |
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 | 85 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 220 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 238 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 146 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 2.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 155 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 147 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 134 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 135 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Monaro
On a 2006 Monaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (3.4% 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 2006 Vauxhall Monaros pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 738 2006 Vauxhall Monaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Monaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.4%).
Does the 2006 Monaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 2.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 738 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.