2006 Vauxhall Tigra — MOT failures & pass rate
12,706 MOT tests on the 2006 Vauxhall Tigra are in this dataset, and 68.9% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 9.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.4%) and suspension (14.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), rigid brake pipes and coil spring — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,019 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.0% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.3% in 2021 to 28.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.4% | 1,960 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 1,809 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 1,591 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 1,042 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.7% | 975 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 861 |
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) | 1,019 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 852 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 776 |
| 4 | Joints | 715 |
| 5 | Wipers | 544 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 538 |
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 | 38.8% | 4,927 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.5% | 3,621 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.2% | 3,460 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 2,853 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 2,119 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.4% | 2,085 |
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 | 317 | 23.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,488 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,610 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,294 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 782 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,527 | 31.0% |
| Diesel | 179 | 34.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,561 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 3,110 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 2,533 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 2,008 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 1,494 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Tigra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.4% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Tigras pass their MOT?
68.9% of the 12,706 2006 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Tigra?
Brakes, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2006 Tigra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,706 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.