Vauxhall Vx220 MOT Failures
An analysis of 956 real DVSA MOT tests on the Vauxhall Vx220 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Vauxhall Vx220 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Vauxhall Vx220 is cable damaged or knotted — this model is 69 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 956 MOT tests, 5.34% of all Vauxhall Vx220 tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (12x the fleet average) and headlight fault (6.3x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Vauxhall Vx220'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 2 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Vauxhall Vx220 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 Vx220'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 Vx220 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are cable damaged or knotted (69x the average) and headlight fault (6.3x).
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.
The standout failure at this mileage is abs fault at 12x the fleet average.
The shift from cable damaged or knotted at lower mileages to abs fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Vx220
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Vauxhall Vx220:
Brakes — check for cable damaged or knotted, abs fault. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Vauxhall Vx220?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Vauxhall Vx220 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Vx220?
Based on 956 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is cable damaged or knotted — at 69x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and headlight fault.
Is the Vauxhall Vx220 reliable based on MOT data?
The Vauxhall Vx220 has 3 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is cable damaged or knotted. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include cable damaged or knotted, abs fault, headlight fault.
How do I check a Vauxhall Vx220'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.