2012 Vauxhall Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 859 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Vauxhall Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (79.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.6% in the 150k+ group versus 17.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 127 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 97 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 60 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 40 |
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 | 65 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 45 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 42 |
| 4 | Washers | 35 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 35 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.9% | 265 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.9% | 205 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.6% | 194 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.2% | 122 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 100 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 74 |
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 | 127 | 17.3% |
| 60-90k | 302 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 274 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 101 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 470 | 21.5% |
| Diesel | 389 | 24.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 189 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 189 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 173 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 155 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 153 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Unclassified
Before buying a 2012 Vauxhall Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (7.0% 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 2012 Vauxhall Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 859 2012 Vauxhall Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Vauxhall Unclassified?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2012 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.3% in the 30-60k band to 36.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 859 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.