Vauxhall Vectra common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Vauxhall Vectra at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 38,600 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Vectra in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 8.4% of tests of 2003–2005 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 4.9× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: sub-frame (corroded but not seriously weakened) (3.7×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (4×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (2.9×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Vectra fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Vauxhall Vectra
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Vauxhall Vectra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust system: mounting defective | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 8.4% | 1.7% | 4.9× | 597 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 14% | 3.8% | 3.7× | 458 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 9.9% | 2.5% | 4× | 313 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 18% | 6.4% | 2.9× | 2,529 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 9.5% | 4% | 2.4× | 2,529 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 22% | 9.7% | 2.3× | 2,997 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 14% | 6% | 2.4× | 1,686 |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | MOT fail | 2002–2004 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 9.8% | 4.3% | 2.3× | 458 |
Vauxhall Vectra by mileage (2006–2008 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 345 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (7.8%, 3.4×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 1,293 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (15%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (9.7%, 2.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 2,988 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (10%, 2.5×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5,047 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (19%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (10%, 2.2×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6,053 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (23%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (23%, 2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5,071 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (10%, 2×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 3,554 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (9%, 2×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 3,882 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (8.6%, 2.2×) |
Vauxhall Vectra by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 474 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (1.8×) |
| 2001 | 722 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.2×) |
| 2002 | 729 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.9×) |
| 2003 | 949 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.7×) |
| 2004 | 1,727 | Exhaust system: mounting defective at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.9×) |
| 2005 | 2,944 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.3×) |
| 2006 | 5,975 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.2×) |
| 2007 | 10,444 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2008 | 11,861 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.2×) |
| 2009 | 2,070 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.9×) |
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 Vectra?
In 38,600 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Vectra in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is exhaust system (mounting defective): recorded on 8.4% of tests of 2003–2005 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 4.9× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: sub-frame (corroded but not seriously weakened) (3.7×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (4×); rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (2.9×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Vectra fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements).
Why do Vauxhall Vectras fail the MOT?
Across 38,600 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Vauxhall Vectra were coil spring (fractured or broken) (9.5% of tests); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (9.8% of tests).
At what mileage do Vauxhall Vectra problems start?
The clearest Vauxhall Vectra-specific issue, exhaust system (mounting defective), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2003–2005 cars (8.4% of tests vs 1.7% for all cars that age).
Where does this Vauxhall Vectra data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 38,600 tests of the Vauxhall Vectra. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.