2000 Vauxhall Tigra — MOT failures & pass rate
420 MOT tests on the 2000 Vauxhall Tigra are in this dataset, and 73.3% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.4% fail rate), the 2000 Tigra comes out 4.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 10.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, stop lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 59 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.9% in the 0-30k band and 40.6% in the 90-120k band, a 25.7-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 64 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 43 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.4% | 31 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 25 |
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 | 59 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 25 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 4 | Wipers | 24 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 14 |
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 | 32.4% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.9% | 92 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.9% | 88 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 74 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 69 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 40 |
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 | 47 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 160 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 160 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 32 | 40.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 142 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 99 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 81 | 25.9% |
| 2024 | 49 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 49 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Tigra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 2000 Vauxhall Tigras pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 420 2000 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Tigra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (10.2%).
Does the 2000 Tigra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 40.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 420 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.