2008 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 82,489 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Vauxhall Vectra, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.5% was below the average for large family cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.9% in the 150k+ group versus 16.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.8% | 13,078 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 11,172 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 10,815 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.8% | 5,619 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 5,037 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 4,774 |
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 | 7,303 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 5,608 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,320 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,962 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3,271 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 3,253 |
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 | 37.7% | 31,100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.0% | 28,857 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.0% | 25,568 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 17,060 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 13,082 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 12,770 |
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 | 446 | 16.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,706 | 24.0% |
| 60-90k | 17,074 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 26,490 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 19,779 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 13,938 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 50,446 | 29.7% |
| Diesel | 32,041 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,612 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 19,967 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 16,033 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 12,485 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 9,392 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Vectra
Before buying a 2008 Vauxhall Vectra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.8% 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 (13.5% 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 (13.1% 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 Vectras pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 82,489 2008 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Vauxhall Vectra?
Suspension, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (13.5%).
Does the 2008 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 82,489 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.