Vauxhall Monterey MOT pass rate & common failures
The Vauxhall Monterey appears in 997 MOT tests spanning model years 1994–2015, and 74.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.1%, so the Monterey sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are body, structure & corrosion, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (13.9%) and brakes (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, exhaust system and prescribed areas — joints alone was recorded 69 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.4% in the 30-60k band and 28.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Monterey model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 97 | 77.3% | 22.7% | Brakes |
| 1995 | 165 | 73.9% | 26.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 190 | 73.2% | 26.8% | Brakes |
| 1997 | 133 | 79.0% | 21.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 349 | 73.6% | 26.4% | Body, structure & corrosion |
| 1999 | 56 | 60.7% | 39.3% | Body, structure & corrosion |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 132 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 125 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.8% | 118 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 68 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 51 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.1% | 31 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.5% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 69 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 60 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 55 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 50 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 50 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 47 |
| 7 | Chassis condition | 46 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 41 |
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 | 43.8% | 437 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.7% | 406 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 37.2% | 371 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 27.1% | 270 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.9% | 188 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.8% | 158 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 31 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 181 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 245 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 425 | 28.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 731 | 26.1% |
| Petrol | 266 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 299 | 24.8% |
| 2022 | 245 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 182 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 154 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 117 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Monterey
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (13.2% 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 (12.5% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Monterey?
74.1% of the 997 Vauxhall Monterey MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.9% fail rate, across model years 1994–2015.
What does the Vauxhall Monterey most often fail its MOT on?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 13.9% of tests, then brakes (13.2%).
How much does mileage affect Monterey MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.4% for cars in the 30-60k band and 28.5% for 150k+, a 9.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 997 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.