2005 Vauxhall Tigra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,701 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Vauxhall Tigra, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.4% in the 150k+ group versus 22.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 1,183 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 1,106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.1% | 1,087 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 554 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.2% | 552 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 520 |
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 | 544 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 543 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 434 |
| 4 | Wipers | 346 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 339 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 322 |
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 | 38.4% | 2,953 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 2,163 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.2% | 2,017 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.9% | 1,529 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 1,503 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.1% | 1,243 |
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 | 229 | 22.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,418 | 25.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,138 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,120 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 598 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 86 | 38.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,522 | 30.9% |
| Diesel | 179 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,476 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 1,903 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 1,460 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 1,078 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 784 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Tigra
Before buying a 2005 Vauxhall Tigra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.4% 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 (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.1% 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 Tigras pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 7,701 2005 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Tigra?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.4%).
Does the 2005 Tigra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.3% in the 0-30k band to 38.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,701 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.