2004 Vauxhall Vx220 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Vauxhall Vx220 passed 88.3% of its 704 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Vx220 comes out 16.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.5% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 31 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Vx220 fails 7.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.7% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 60 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 27 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 27 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.6% | 11 |
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 | 31 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 15 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 14 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 11.9% | 84 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.5% | 46 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.4% | 31 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 20 |
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 | 185 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 342 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 140 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 31 | 9.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 152 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 140 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 142 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 135 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 135 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Vx220
On a 2004 Vx220, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (3.8% 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 2004 Vauxhall Vx220s pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 704 2004 Vauxhall Vx220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Vauxhall Vx220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.8%).
Does the 2004 Vx220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 9.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 704 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.