2006 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 43,035 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Vauxhall Vectra, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.5% was below the average for large family cars of a similar age (72.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.1% in the 150k+ group versus 23.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 6,627 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 6,329 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 6,135 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.0% | 3,006 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 2,696 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 2,552 |
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 | 3,293 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,070 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3,005 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 2,205 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 2,173 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,036 |
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 | 38.6% | 16,631 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.2% | 15,992 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.4% | 13,491 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 9,090 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 7,512 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 7,500 |
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 | 280 | 23.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,116 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 7,383 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 13,307 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 11,032 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 8,723 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,685 | 29.5% |
| Diesel | 15,344 | 29.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,282 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 10,606 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 8,094 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 5,862 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 4,191 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Vectra
Before buying a 2006 Vauxhall Vectra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.4% 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 (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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 2006 Vauxhall Vectras pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 43,035 2006 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Vauxhall Vectra?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.7%).
Does the 2006 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,035 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.