2006 Vauxhall Signum — MOT failures & pass rate
4,154 MOT tests on the 2006 Vauxhall Signum are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.7%) and lighting & signalling (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 296 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.7% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.4% fail against 28.7% for diesel, a 2.2-point gap across 4,154 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.7% | 570 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 541 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 514 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.7% | 321 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 298 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 212 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 296 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 279 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 252 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 171 |
| 5 | Joints | 158 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 157 |
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 | 37.6% | 1,564 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.0% | 1,329 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.9% | 1,285 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 853 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 660 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 557 |
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 | 166 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 662 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,171 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,206 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 923 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,800 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 1,354 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,353 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 1,017 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 807 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 560 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 417 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Signum
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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 Signums pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 4,154 2006 Vauxhall Signum MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Signum?
Suspension, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2006 Signum get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,154 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.