2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 860 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 7.2% | 62 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 37 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 15 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 62 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 3 | Washers | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.2% | 148 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 75 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 45 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 25 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 9 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 653 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 199 | 12.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 427 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 407 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Combo S/S Auto
Before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 7.2% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (7.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (4.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Autos pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 860 2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Combo S/S Auto?
Visibility, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2021 Combo S/S Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 12.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 860 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.