2005 Vauxhall Movano — MOT failures & pass rate
1,463 MOT tests on the 2005 Vauxhall Movano are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. That is 1.7 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.8%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (18.9%) and lighting & signalling (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and headlamp aim — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 175 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.4% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.9% | 276 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 264 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 119 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 117 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 77 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 175 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 105 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 100 |
| 4 | Wipers | 95 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 92 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 82 |
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 | 35.3% | 516 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.1% | 440 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 291 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.2% | 266 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.4% | 254 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 212 |
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 | 52 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 281 | 32.7% |
| 120-150k | 368 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 648 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 312 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 316 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 287 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 286 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 262 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Movano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (18.9% 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 (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
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 2005 Vauxhall Movanos pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 1,463 2005 Vauxhall Movano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Movano?
Brakes, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.1%).
Does the 2005 Movano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.1% in the 30-60k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,463 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.