2011 Vauxhall Van — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 265 MOT tests, the 2011 Vauxhall Van recorded a 90.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (23.1% fail rate), the 2011 Van comes out 14.0pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 6.8% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, coil spring and shock absorbers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 8 times.
The trend is worsening — 3.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.8% | 18 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 9 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.5% | 4 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 2 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.8% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 8 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 6 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 5 | Joints | 3 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3 |
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 | 7.9% | 21 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.2% | 19 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 14 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.9% | 5 |
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 | 159 | 6.9% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 13.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 3.4% |
| 2022 | 51 | 3.9% |
| 2023 | 53 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 52 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 50 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Van
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.8% 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 (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.5% 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
How many 2011 Vauxhall Vans pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 265 2011 Vauxhall Van MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Vauxhall Van?
Suspension, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.4%).
Does the 2011 Van get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 30-60k band to 13.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 265 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.