2021 Vauxhall Combo Turbo D S/S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,555 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Vauxhall Combo Turbo D S/S, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 87.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 19.3% in the 60-90k group versus 10.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 8.0% | 204 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 169 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 126 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 50 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 212 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 79 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 57 |
| 4 | Washers | 44 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 42 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 35 |
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 | 21.3% | 543 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 333 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.2% | 235 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 85 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,349 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,044 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 145 | 19.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 71 | 7.0% |
| 2024 | 1,326 | 13.7% |
| 2025 | 1,150 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Combo Turbo D S/S
Before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Combo Turbo D S/S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 8.0% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (8.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.9% 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.
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 Turbo D S/Ss pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 2,555 2021 Vauxhall Combo Turbo D S/S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Vauxhall Combo Turbo D S/S?
Visibility, recorded in 8.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.6%).
Does the 2021 Combo Turbo D S/S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,555 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.