2008 Vauxhall Vxr8 — MOT failures & pass rate
547 MOT tests on the 2008 Vauxhall Vxr8 are in this dataset, and 87.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the 2008 Vxr8 comes out 13.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.6%) and emissions & environmental (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, anti-lock braking system and malfunction indicator lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 18 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.6% in the 30-60k band and 10.8% in the 120-150k band, a 5.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 13.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.6% in 2021 to 9.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 25 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.4% | 24 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 23 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.7% | 15 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 6 |
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 | 18 |
| 2 | Anti-lock braking system | 13 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 9 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.5% | 74 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.4% | 73 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.4% | 73 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 28 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 26 |
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 | 108 | 5.6% |
| 60-90k | 229 | 11.8% |
| 90-120k | 140 | 20.7% |
| 120-150k | 37 | 10.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 114 | 13.2% |
| 2023 | 107 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 102 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 101 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Vxr8
On a 2008 Vxr8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Emissions & environmental (4.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (4.4% 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 2008 Vauxhall Vxr8s pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 547 2008 Vauxhall Vxr8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Vxr8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (4.4%).
Does the 2008 Vxr8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 30-60k band to 10.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 547 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.