Vauxhall Van MOT pass rate & common failures
The Vauxhall Van appears in 390 MOT tests spanning model years 2003–2012, and 85.9% of them passed. That is 9.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.9%. Its most common failure areas are suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.7%) and lighting & signalling (6.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 12 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 30-60k band and 36.7% in the 120-150k band, a 29.9-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 18.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Van model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 34 | 82.3% | 17.6% | Steering |
| 2008 | 39 | 66.7% | 33.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 34 | 82.3% | 17.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 265 | 90.9% | 9.1% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.7% | 34 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 26 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.9% | 15 |
| 4 | Steering | 3.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 10 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 9 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 11 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 9 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 9 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 7 | Wipers | 7 |
| 8 | Rigid brake pipes | 7 |
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 | 18.5% | 72 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 60 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.1% | 51 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 36 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.7% | 30 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.9% | 19 |
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 | 163 | 6.8% |
| 60-90k | 131 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 46 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 30 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 74 | 8.1% |
| 2023 | 76 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 71 | 18.3% |
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Van
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Van?
85.9% of the 390 Vauxhall Van MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.1% fail rate, across model years 2003–2012.
What does the Vauxhall Van most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 8.7% of tests, then lighting & signalling (6.7%).
How much does mileage affect Van MOT results?
Fail rates run at 6.8% for cars in the 30-60k band and 36.7% for 120-150k, a 29.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 390 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.