Vauxhall Combo common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Vauxhall Combo at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 105,681 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Combo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is coil spring (corroded): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (13×); headlamp (not working on dipped beam) (6.6×); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Combo fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Vauxhall Combo
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Vauxhall Combo than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 8.2% | 0.5% | 16× | 1,422 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6.5% | 0.5% | 13× | 417 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5.3% | 0.8% | 6.6× | 9,062 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 10% | 2.2% | 4.6× | 10,882 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.8% | 0.8% | 4.7× | 5,474 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.4% | 0.7% | 4.9× | 3,857 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 15% | 2.7% | 5.6× | 1,214 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 5.7% | 1.3% | 4.4× | 5,474 |
Vauxhall Combo by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 5,313 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (8.3%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (7.9%, 4.4×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 11,484 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (9.8%, 4.5×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 9,762 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam (5.1%, 6.4×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4,467 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam (6.5%, 4.6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,630 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.5%, 3.5×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 611 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam (5.6%, 2.7×) |
Vauxhall Combo by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 695 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.8×) |
| 2003 | 1,935 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.9×) |
| 2004 | 2,590 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.2×) |
| 2005 | 2,989 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.6×) |
| 2006 | 4,345 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.3×) |
| 2007 | 5,326 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.8×) |
| 2008 | 6,286 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.1×) |
| 2009 | 4,535 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2010 | 7,487 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.4×) |
| 2011 | 8,084 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.9×) |
| 2012 | 3,284 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.5×) |
| 2013 | 3,653 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.2×) |
| 2014 | 5,300 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.5×) |
| 2015 | 5,639 | Coil spring: corroded at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (7×) |
| 2016 | 5,402 | Coil spring: corroded at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (10×) |
| 2017 | 3,791 | Coil spring: corroded at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (16×) |
| 2018 | 3,083 | Coil spring: corroded at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (20×) |
| 2019 | 16,322 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.4×) |
| 2020 | 14,160 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.6×) |
| 2021 | 403 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.1×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Vauxhall Combo?
In 105,681 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Combo in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is coil spring (corroded): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (13×); headlamp (not working on dipped beam) (6.6×); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Combo fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Why do Vauxhall Combos fail the MOT?
Across 105,681 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Vauxhall Combo were coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.7% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (9.2% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (5.6% of tests).
At what mileage do Vauxhall Combo problems start?
The clearest Vauxhall Combo-specific issue, coil spring (corroded), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2016–2018 cars (8.2% of tests vs 0.5% for all cars that age).
Where does this Vauxhall Combo data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 105,681 tests of the Vauxhall Combo. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.