MOT fail rates by first-use year
2003 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT fail rate and common faults
How Vauxhall Vivaro cars first used in 2003 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 9,081 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 22 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 22 years old, Vauxhall Vivaro cars first used in 2003 failed 49.9% of MOTs (1,601 tests), 8.9 points above the 41.0% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 19 to 22 years old, the fail rate moved from 55.6% to 49.9%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Vauxhall Vivaro at 22 years, is handbrake too weak, at 8.9 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.5).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19 years | 55.6% | 2,990 | 43.2% | +12.4 pts |
| 2023 | 20 years | 52.4% | 2,489 | 42.8% | +9.7 pts |
| 2024 | 21 years | 50.5% | 2,001 | 42.1% | +8.5 pts |
| 2025 | 22 years | 49.9% | 1,601 | 41.0% | +8.9 pts |
Most common faults at 22 years
These figures cover all Vauxhall Vivaro MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2002 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,431). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Handbrake too weak | 8.9 | 2.5 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 7.9 | 2.0 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 7.5 | 1.6 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 6.5 | 3.2 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 6.4 | 4.6 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 5.5 | 3.5 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 5.2 | 2.1 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 5.1 | 1.3 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 5.0 | 3.7 |
| Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements | 4.7 | 0.9 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,431). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 29.8 | 15.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 22.0 | 15.9 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 20.5 | 10.1 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 15.0 | 13.7 |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 14.9 | 3.6 |
| Shock absorber misting oil | 10.8 | 3.1 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 9.2 | 10.4 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 8.3 | 6.8 |
| Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view | 7.9 | 3.8 |
| Track rod end ball joint: slight play | 7.4 | 2.1 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,431). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 22 years
These figures cover all Vauxhall Vivaro MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2002 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,431). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 100.0% | 50.4% | 2,426 | 42.1% | 156,708 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2003 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2003 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Vauxhall Vivaro
Other Vauxhall models first used in 2003
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Combo (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 50.6% | 1,101 | 41.0% |
More on the Vauxhall Vivaro
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2003 Vauxhall Vivaro cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.