2010 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 48,718 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Vauxhall Combo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.5% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (72.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.8% in the 150k+ group versus 24.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.2% | 7,392 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 6,954 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 4,002 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.1% | 3,935 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.5% | 3,666 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.2% | 2,995 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 3,715 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,033 |
| 3 | Washers | 2,548 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,067 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 2,026 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,997 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.0% | 13,644 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.7% | 13,515 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.7% | 13,005 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.1% | 9,315 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 5,845 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 5,687 |
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 | 1,104 | 24.6% |
| 30-60k | 8,351 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 10,975 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 10,185 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 8,576 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 8,901 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 48,268 | 26.5% |
| Petrol | 450 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,353 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 10,680 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 10,057 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 9,086 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 7,542 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Combo
Before buying a 2010 Vauxhall Combo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.2% 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 2010 Vauxhall Combos pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 48,718 2010 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.3%).
Does the 2010 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 48,718 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.