2008 Vauxhall Tigra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,626 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Vauxhall Tigra, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 69.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.8% in the 150k+ group versus 25.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.0% | 1,444 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 1,347 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 1,324 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.3% | 699 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 662 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 505 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 787 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 672 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 459 |
| 4 | Wipers | 400 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 379 |
| 6 | Washers | 367 |
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 | 31.4% | 3,019 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.1% | 2,900 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 2,712 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 2,111 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.0% | 1,440 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.4% | 1,290 |
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 | 450 | 25.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,685 | 26.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,124 | 31.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,819 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 381 | 36.0% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,414 | 30.7% |
| Diesel | 212 | 34.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,513 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 2,228 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 1,907 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 1,616 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 1,362 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Tigra
Before buying a 2008 Vauxhall Tigra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.0% 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.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% 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 2008 Vauxhall Tigras pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 9,626 2008 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Tigra?
Suspension, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 2008 Tigra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.1% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,626 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.