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Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 (2000-2005) reliability

Not enough data

Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 built around 2003: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 models built around 2003 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Vauxhall VX220 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

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

Vauxhall VX220 Mk1
2000-2005ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 820 tests of VX220 models registered 2000-2005.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
8811.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
22414.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
23311.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
16113.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
11417.5%

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 24 years old.

How the VX220 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the VX220 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 18,327 tests across 9 Vauxhall models, built around 2003 (22 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVauxhall average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
8811.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
22414.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
23311.2%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
16113.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
11417.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

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 springs

Worth checking

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

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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the VX220 Mk1.

  1. 1

    MG TF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 on these figures.

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

    2,685 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,086 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  3. 3

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.7%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 on these figures.

    2,750 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 on these figures.

    2,034 MOT tests on cars built around 2003

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.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

1 of the 4 VX220 Mk1 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Rear alloy road wheel may fracture

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

What has gone wrong on VX220 Mk1 cars built around 2003

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 51 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
20%
Emissions
20%
Steering
4%

Wear items

Lighting
53%
Brakes
49%
Tyres
20%
How VX220 Mk1 cars have aged

How VX220 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%1718192021222324Age at MOTBuilt around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (104 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (87 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (94 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (79 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (90 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (189 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (188 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (181 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (168 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (148 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (125 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (109 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (111 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (103 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (92 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (108 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (104 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (103 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (98 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (103 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2004First registered around 2003First registered around 2002First registered around 2001
Mk1 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Vauxhall VX220 models of this age

This list covers every Vauxhall VX220 built around 2003, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    7.7%
    Advisory: 28Fail: 4 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    5.2%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    3.9%
    Advisory: 11Fail: 2 (15% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    3.4%
    Advisory: 11Fail: 1 (8% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    3.0%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 233 tests

Looking at a Vauxhall VX220 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2003 (22 years old), the Vauxhall VX220 Mk1 (2000-2005) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 233 22-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 820 MOT tests on Vauxhall VX220 models first registered between 2000-2005. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.