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Vauxhall Ampera reliability by build year

Coverage 2012-20151 named generationHatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY

We've only got 456 MOT tests for Vauxhall Amperas built around 2014 (11 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Vauxhall Ampera built around 2014: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Vauxhall Amperas built around 2014 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Vauxhall Ampera by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Ampera's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Drivetrain

Worth checking

Inspect the drivetrain carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates fell, then rose again. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Ampera's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Ampera Series 1 (Chevrolet Volt)

Series 1 (Chevrolet Volt) (2012-2015)

Not enough tests to rate
ELECTRICITYHYBRID ELECTRIC

22.1% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Likely between 17.9% and 27.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 317 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Ampera.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Ampera

By age

Vauxhall Ampera fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Ampera ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
31722.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
45626.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
36623.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
25826.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 11-year-old Vauxhall Amperas

These issues come from 11-year-old Vauxhall Amperas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    25.4%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 3 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.6%
    Advisory: 117Fail: 12 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.0%
    Advisory: 73Fail: 22 (23% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Drive shaft joint cover badly deteriorated

    8.8%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    7.9%
    Advisory: 45Fail: 9 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 456 MOT tests on 11-year-old Vauxhall Amperas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 11-year-old Vauxhall Amperas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres33%
  2. Brakes + Suspension22%
  3. Suspension + Tyres18%
  4. Brakes + Drivetrain17%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 209 MOT tests on Vauxhall Ampera cars built around 2014 (11 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Vauxhall Ampera.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Vauxhall Ampera name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.6%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.2%, against 26.1% for the Vauxhall Ampera, both built around 2014.

    4,180 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Honda Fit

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.4%, against 26.1% for the Vauxhall Ampera, both built around 2014.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,364 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Golf

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.9%

    Lower fail rate: 18.4%, against 26.1% for the Vauxhall Ampera, both built around 2014.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    74,989 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Audi A7

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.3%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 26.1% for the Vauxhall Ampera, both built around 2014.

    2,170 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Vauxhall Ampera across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 456 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Ampera ever sold: 1,397 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2014 (11 years old): 456 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.