2001 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Vauxhall Vectra passed 72.8% of its 5,110 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2001 Vectra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and suspension (13.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 360 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.0% in the 0-30k band and 29.9% in the 150k+ band, a 11.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 45.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.3% in 2021 to 23.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 706 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 669 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 647 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 430 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 397 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 293 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 360 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 318 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 314 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 250 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 240 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 220 |
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 | 45.1% | 2,305 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.4% | 1,808 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.8% | 1,368 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 1,056 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 998 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.9% | 915 |
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 | 61 | 18.0% |
| 30-60k | 556 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,481 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,367 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 980 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 571 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,793 | 27.0% |
| Diesel | 310 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,632 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 1,222 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 929 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 740 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 587 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vectra
On a 2001 Vectra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (12.7% 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 2001 Vauxhall Vectras pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 5,110 2001 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Vectra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2001 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,110 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.