2005 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,972 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Vauxhall Combo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.1% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.2% | 4,443 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 4,152 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 3,216 |
| 4 | Tyres | 9.0% | 1,968 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.9% | 1,962 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 1,900 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,086 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,733 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,668 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,591 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,260 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 1,241 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 44.5% | 9,774 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.5% | 7,798 |
| 3 | Tyres | 33.5% | 7,369 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.4% | 5,373 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 23.6% | 5,181 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 4,278 |
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 | 293 | 38.6% |
| 30-60k | 553 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,032 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,245 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 6,004 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 5,242 | 33.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,553 | 33.0% |
| Petrol | 417 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,954 | 33.5% |
| 2022 | 5,470 | 33.3% |
| 2023 | 4,239 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 3,135 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 2,174 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Combo
Before buying a 2005 Vauxhall Combo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 20.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (20.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2005 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
67.1% of the 21,972 2005 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.9%).
Does the 2005 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 38.6% in the 0-30k band to 33.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,972 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.