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Vauxhall Vectra reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-20081 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Vauxhall Vectra built around 2008: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Vauxhall Vectras built around 2008 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Vauxhall Vectra by number plate

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Vectras built around 2008 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Vectras built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Vectra'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 pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

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.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Vectra's generation

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

Vectra Mk2 (C)

Mk2 (C) (2002-2008)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

32.5% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 9,492 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL
1,755 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

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 Vectra.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Vectra

By age

Vauxhall Vectra fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Vectra 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
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
29830.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,79133.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
9,49232.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,64731.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,39631.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,60432.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,00332.1%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
57729.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
63730.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
49227.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
76426.1%

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 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Vauxhall Vectras

These issues come from 17-year-old Vauxhall Vectras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    26.9%
    Advisory: 2,551Fail: 39 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    24.4%
    Advisory: 3,217Fail: 305 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    22.4%
    Advisory: 2,616Fail: 807 (24% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    19.5%
    Advisory: 1,993Fail: 641 (24% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    18.6%
    Advisory: 2,004Fail: 338 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 9,492 MOT tests on 17-year-old Vauxhall Vectras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Vauxhall Vectras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension39%
  2. Suspension + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Tyres29%
  4. Lighting + Suspension27%

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

Across 6,508 MOT tests on Vauxhall Vectra cars built around 2008 (17 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 Vectra.

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

10 recalls in all

8 of the 10 Vauxhall Vectra recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Heated washer nozzle may short circuit
  • Vauxhall cross carline driver’s airbag - Takata
  • Handbrake may partially release

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.6%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 27.5%, against 32.5% for the Vauxhall Vectra, both built around 2008.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,273 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.2%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Lower fail rate: 23.7%, against 32.5% for the Vauxhall Vectra, both built around 2008.

    1,727 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Smart ForTwo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.3%, against 32.5% for the Vauxhall Vectra, both built around 2008.

    4,904 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.7%
    Dangerous
    7.4%

    Lower fail rate: 29.3%, against 32.5% for the Vauxhall Vectra, both built around 2008.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,989 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

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 2008 (17 years old), the Vauxhall Vectra across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 9,492 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Vectra ever sold: 30,701 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 9,492 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.