Most Reliable Vauxhall Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 3,052,659 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Vauxhall models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
3,052,659 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Vauxhall model from 1989-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Vauxhall GRANDLAND
86.6% pass rate
Best Single Year
VIVA 2015 Petrol
81.6% pass rate
Vauxhall vs National Average
65.4% vs 71.4%
-6.0% below average
Proven Durability Champion
NOVA
+18.6% at 21+ years
Vauxhall ranks #155 out of 180 manufacturers, below the national average. We analysed 3,052,659 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find the most reliable Vauxhall models and which years to avoid.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering Vauxhall models sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Vauxhall Compares to Rivals
Vauxhall ranks #155 out of 180 manufacturers with a 65.4% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.4%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | 71.9% | #129 | 3,034,850 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #143 | 4,473,074 |
| Peugeot | 66.0% | #152 | 1,445,748 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #155 | 3,052,659 |
| Citroen | 63.1% | #165 | 1,035,382 |
| Renault | 61.8% | #169 | 1,016,493 |
The verdict: Volkswagen maintains a lead among competitors, while Vauxhall sits at #155.
Best Vauxhall Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Vauxhall's core models rank against the 71.4% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.4%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRANDLAND | 86.6% | +15.1% | 59,310 | 2017-2023 |
| CROSSLAND | 85.8% | +14.3% | 51,580 | 2017-2022 |
| MOKKA | 74.3% | +2.9% | 220,751 | 2012-2023 |
| CASCADA | 74.2% | +2.7% | 2,853 | 2013-2018 |
| ADAM | 72.2% | +0.8% | 59,323 | 2012-2019 |
| AMPERA | 71.6% | +0.1% | 1,199 | 2003-2016 |
| OMEGA | 68.5% | -2.9% | 1,416 | 1994-2010 |
| INSIGNIA | 68.1% | -3.3% | 217,200 | 2008-2021 |
| MERIVA | 62.4% | -9.0% | 101,061 | 2003-2018 |
| AGILA | 62.4% | -9.0% | 37,705 | 2000-2016 |
* Compared to overall 71.4% national average across all years. For year-adjusted comparisons that account for newer cars passing more often, see individual model breakdowns below.
Top performer
The GRANDLAND leads Vauxhall's lineup with an 86.6% pass rate.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Vauxhall Models Age Best?
These Vauxhall models show solid long-term reliability based on 11+ years of MOT data. Here's how they compare to the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 100+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOVA | - | All | +18.6% | 21+ years | 79.6% |
| VX220 | - | All | +17.0% | 21+ years | 78.0% |
| CALIBRA | - | All | +11.5% | 21+ years | 72.5% |
| CAVALIER | - | All | +10.5% | 21+ years | 71.5% |
| OMEGA | - | All | +7.7% | 21+ years | 68.7% |
| CASCADA | - | All | +7.7% | 11-14 years | 72.3% |
| AMPERA | - | All | +5.2% | 11-14 years | 69.9% |
| AGILA | - | All | +2.7% | 18-20 years | 58.8% |
| INSIGNIA | - | All | +2.3% | 15-17 years | 60.1% |
| FRONTERA | - | All | +2.1% | 21+ years | 63.1% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The NOVA outperforms the average 21+ years-old car by 19 percentage points, with 778 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Vauxhall models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - too early to assess long-term reliability. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIVA | - | All | +7.9% | 8-10 years | 83.3% |
| AGILA | - | All | +2.4% | 8-10 years | 77.9% |
| VIVA | - | All | +2.3% | 3-7 years | 87.1% |
| GRANDLAND | - | All | +1.8% | 3-7 years | 86.6% |
| CROSSLAND | - | All | +1.0% | 3-7 years | 85.8% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Vauxhall MOKKA: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The MOKKA has 220,751 tests in our database with an overall 74.3% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 84.9% | -1.3% | 21,766 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 80.5% | -5.7% | 1,009 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 82.3% | -2.0% | 30,409 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 79.3% | -4.9% | 1,404 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 77.2% | -4.5% | 30,834 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 73.6% | -8.1% | 6,041 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 73.7% | -4.9% | 26,687 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 70.4% | -8.3% | 13,403 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 71.8% | -3.6% | 28,806 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 66.7% | -8.8% | 14,578 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 70.0% | -1.7% | 18,220 |
| 2014 | Diesel | 66.3% | -5.4% | 13,737 |
MOKKA verdict:
Vauxhall INSIGNIA: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The INSIGNIA has 217,200 tests in our database with an overall 68.1% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Diesel | 84.7% | -2.9% | 865 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 83.2% | -3.1% | 4,783 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 79.9% | -6.3% | 3,438 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.1% | +0.9% | 4,709 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 79.5% | -4.7% | 8,266 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 82.0% | +0.3% | 3,402 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 75.8% | -5.9% | 12,394 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 76.3% | -2.4% | 2,060 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 69.4% | -9.2% | 20,900 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 77.9% | +2.4% | 2,043 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 67.8% | -7.6% | 27,523 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 69.7% | -2.0% | 2,574 |
| ... | ||||
| 2009 | Petrol | 58.9% | -0.1% | 5,195 |
INSIGNIA verdict: Avoid the 2009 petrol (58.9%).
Avoid the 2009 INSIGNIA
The 2009 petrol INSIGNIA has a 58.9% pass rate, well below the national average.
Vauxhall Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Reliability varies by fuel type for Vauxhall. Here's how each performs:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 86.5% | +15.1% | 3,294 |
| Hybrid Electric | 80.0% | +8.6% | 2,436 |
| Petrol | 66.8% | -4.6% | 2,056,808 |
| Gas Bi-fuel | 65.8% | -5.7% | 73 |
| Diesel | 62.4% | -9.0% | 989,551 |
| Other | 56.5% | -14.9% | 23 |
The hybrid advantage: Vauxhall hybrids pass MOTs 13% more often than petrols and 18% more often than diesels.
Vauxhall Models to Avoid
Not all Vauxhalls are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMBO 2300 EDITION TD S/S | 2020 | Diesel | 59.1% | 618 |
| VIVARO 2900 DYNAMIC S/S | 2019 | Diesel | 64.3% | 608 |
| COMBO 2300 SPORTIVE TD S/S | 2020 | Diesel | 66.0% | 2,786 |
| COMBO | 2020 | Diesel | 67.8% | 7,176 |
| VIVARO | 2013 | Diesel | 48.9% | 10,414 |
| COMBO | 2018 | Diesel | 65.2% | 2,884 |
| COMBO | 2017 | Diesel | 62.9% | 3,743 |
| VIVARO | 2012 | Diesel | 46.8% | 9,093 |
| VIVARO | 2014 | Diesel | 53.0% | 13,023 |
| VIVARO | 2011 | Diesel | 45.4% | 11,218 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2017-2020 diesel COMBOs, 2011-2014 diesel VIVAROs are the models that drag down Vauxhall's average. The VIVARO performs 18% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-14 years - this is proven poor durability. These models have significantly higher failure rates than average.
What Goes Wrong on Vauxhalls?
When Vauxhalls fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 406,041 |
| 2. Suspension | 388,237 |
| 3. Brakes | 253,643 |
| 4. Tyres | 213,502 |
| 5. Visibility | 196,396 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 142,424 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 121,060 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Vauxhall owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- GRANDLAND X SRI NAV TURBO A 2020 Petrol: 91% pass rate
- ASTRA 2020 Petrol: 90% pass rate
- VIVA 2019 Petrol: 89% pass rate
- CROSSLAND 2019 Petrol: 88% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- NOVA (21+ years): +19% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- VX220 (21+ years): +17% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- CALIBRA (21+ years): +11% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- CAVALIER (21+ years): +10% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Vauxhall Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- VIVARO (11-14 years): -13% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 11-14 years)
- COMBO (21+ years): -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 21+ years)
- MERIVA (21+ years): -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 21+ years)
- CORSAVAN (11-14 years): -8% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average at 11-14 years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 3,052,659 tests on Vauxhall vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 100 tests for proven durability rankings, 100 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.44% based on 32,300,000 tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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