2000 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,414 MOT tests, the 2000 Vauxhall Vectra recorded a 72.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (27.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and brakes (12.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 294 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.3% in the 0-30k band and 29.4% in the 150k+ band, a 6.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 45.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 446 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 410 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 399 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 302 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 251 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 166 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 294 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 252 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 214 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 195 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 133 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 132 |
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 | 45.5% | 1,554 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 1,122 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.1% | 822 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 712 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 658 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 654 |
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 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 30-60k | 332 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 900 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,054 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 619 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 367 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,333 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 81 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,129 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 845 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 621 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 468 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 351 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Vectra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.0% 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.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
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 2000 Vauxhall Vectras pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 3,414 2000 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Vectra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.0%).
Does the 2000 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,414 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.