2005 Vauxhall Signum — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,341 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Vauxhall Signum, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.5% in the 150k+ group versus 25.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 345 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 332 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 294 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 169 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.0% | 165 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 154 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 174 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 147 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 145 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 139 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 105 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 100 |
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 | 39.9% | 935 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.1% | 797 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.9% | 699 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.1% | 541 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 488 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 488 |
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 | 119 | 25.2% |
| 60-90k | 398 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 629 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 639 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 535 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,249 | 29.8% |
| Diesel | 1,092 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 822 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 600 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 432 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 271 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 216 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Signum
Before buying a 2005 Vauxhall Signum, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Brakes (12.6% 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 2005 Vauxhall Signums pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 2,341 2005 Vauxhall Signum MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Signum?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2005 Signum get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,341 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.