Vauxhall Vxr8 MOT pass rate & common failures
2,524 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vxr8 (2005–2019) give it an 88.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.8% of the time, so this is 13.4pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.6%) and suspension (4.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and malfunction indicator lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 62 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 0.0% versus 5.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every Vxr8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 598 | 86.1% | 13.9% | Suspension |
| 2008 | 547 | 87.6% | 12.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 1,056 | 89.2% | 10.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 30 | 93.3% | 6.7% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2014 | 68 | 86.8% | 13.2% | Suspension |
| 2015 | 70 | 91.4% | 8.6% | Suspension |
| 2016 | 42 | 97.6% | 2.4% | Suspension |
| 2017 | 36 | 86.1% | 13.9% | Visibility |
| 2018 | 36 | 100.0% | 0.0% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 115 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 114 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 87 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 82 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.5% | 63 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 37 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 29 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.8% | 21 |
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 | 62 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 49 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 36 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 33 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 7 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 26 |
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 | 14.0% | 353 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 324 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 311 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 116 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 104 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.6% | 91 |
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 | 247 | 5.3% |
| 30-60k | 731 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 901 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 470 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 12.6% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 0.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 541 | 11.5% |
| 2022 | 527 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 501 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | 480 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 475 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Vxr8
- Lighting & signalling (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.5% 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 (3.5% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Vxr8?
88.5% of the 2,524 Vauxhall Vxr8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 11.5% fail rate, across model years 2005–2019.
What does the Vauxhall Vxr8 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.6% of tests, then suspension (4.5%).
How much does mileage affect Vxr8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 5.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 0.0% for 150k+, a 5.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,524 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.