2001 Vauxhall Vx220 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Vauxhall Vx220 passed 84.4% of its 838 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.0% fail rate), the 2001 Vx220 comes out 11.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests against 6.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.4% in the 0-30k band and 17.4% in the 90-120k band, a 5.0-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 14.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 86 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 52 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 35 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.9% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 14 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 5 | Washers | 24 |
| 6 | Horn | 19 |
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 | 14.9% | 125 |
| 2 | Tyres | 11.5% | 96 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 87 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 60 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.3% | 44 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 43 |
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 | 137 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 227 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 321 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 121 | 17.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 170 | 14.1% |
| 2022 | 175 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 176 | 19.3% |
| 2024 | 155 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 162 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Vx220
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Vx220s pass their MOT?
84.4% of the 838 2001 Vauxhall Vx220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Vx220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by brakes (6.2%).
Does the 2001 Vx220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 17.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 838 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.