Vauxhall Ampera MOT Failures
An analysis of 5,546 real DVSA MOT tests on the Vauxhall Ampera — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Gen1 (2012–2016).
Where the Vauxhall Ampera fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Vauxhall Ampera is light unit fault — this model is 24 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 5,546 MOT tests, 3.99% of all Vauxhall Ampera tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (9.1x the fleet average), transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (6.4x the fleet average), suspension pin, bush or joint worn (5.5x the fleet average), and tyre wear or damage (6.8x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Vauxhall Ampera's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork, Suspension, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Vauxhall Ampera before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Vauxhall Ampera's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Vauxhall Ampera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (24x the average) and emissions failure (9.1x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (6.4x) and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Vauxhall Ampera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (10x the average) and tyre wear or damage (6.8x). transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (6.0x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (5.5x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Vauxhall Ampera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (9.7x the average) and emissions failure (5.6x). suspension pin, bush or joint worn (5.3x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn also appear frequently.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Vauxhall Ampera specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Engine management light illumination (Gen1) Major
The hybrid powertrain control system triggers persistent engine management light illumination at rates significantly higher than conventional vehicles. Affects Gen1.
12V battery degradation (Gen1) Major
The conventional 12V battery experiences accelerated degradation due to the constant electrical loads from the hybrid system's control modules and the infrequent running of the petrol engine to charge it. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
CV joint boot deterioration (Gen1)
The constant velocity joint boots on the driveshafts deteriorate at rates significantly higher than the average vehicle, with both severe deterioration and complete loss of boots documented. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£200.
Front brake disc warping (Gen1)
The front brake discs warp or develop surface irregularities at rates significantly higher than conventional vehicles, causing brake judder and uneven brake effort. Affects Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Vauxhall Ampera common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Ampera
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Vauxhall Ampera:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot.... Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about engine management light illumination and 12v battery degradation. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Vauxhall Ampera?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Vauxhall Ampera MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Ampera?
Based on 5,546 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 24x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot....
Is the Vauxhall Ampera reliable based on MOT data?
The Vauxhall Ampera has 5 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag engine management light illumination as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Vauxhall Ampera most commonly fails on light unit fault and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and emissions failure.
How do I check a Vauxhall Ampera's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.