2005 Vauxhall Vx220 — MOT failures & pass rate
297 MOT tests on the 2005 Vauxhall Vx220 are in this dataset, and 88.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 16.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.7%) and emissions & environmental (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.6% in the 0-30k band and 14.5% in the 60-90k band, a 7.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.5% 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 | 5.7% | 17 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.7% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 4 |
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 | 13 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 6 |
| 4 | Horn | 5 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 4 |
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 | 13.5% | 40 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 31 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 17 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.7% | 11 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 91 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 141 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 62 | 14.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 57 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 56 | 7.1% |
| 2024 | 66 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 58 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Vx220
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (2.7% 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 2005 Vauxhall Vx220s pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 297 2005 Vauxhall Vx220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Vx220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.4%).
Does the 2005 Vx220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 14.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 297 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.