2007 Vauxhall Vxr8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 598 MOT tests, the 2007 Vauxhall Vxr8 recorded an 86.1% pass rate. That is 13.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.2%) and lighting & signalling (6.0%) 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 ball joint — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 21 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.6% in the 30-60k band and 20.0% in the 120-150k band, a 7.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 15.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.2% | 37 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 36 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 28 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.3% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.2% | 19 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 10 |
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 | 21 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 17 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 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 | Brakes | 15.7% | 94 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.4% | 92 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.2% | 85 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.2% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 29 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 111 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 180 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 126 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 117 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 111 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 115 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Vxr8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (4.7% 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 2007 Vauxhall Vxr8s pass their MOT?
86.1% of the 598 2007 Vauxhall Vxr8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Vauxhall Vxr8?
Suspension, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.0%).
Does the 2007 Vxr8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 30-60k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 598 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.