Sports car and convertible · 2013–2018 cars
Vauxhall Cascada reliability
The Vauxhall Cascada fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,353 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Cascada before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 22.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,353
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Cascada ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Cascadas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Cascada | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 16.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 22.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 22.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 25.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 23.7% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Cascada years
2013 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 737 | 20.8% | 34% more fails | 34,224 |
| 2016 Cascada | 1,879 | 18.7% | 2% more fails | 39,995 |
| 2015 Cascada | 2,127 | 21.5% | 1% fewer fails | 48,069 |
| 2014 Cascada | 2,561 | 25.3% | 1% fewer fails | 57,576 |
| 2013 Cascada | 2,865 | 24.5% | 15% fewer fails | 65,042 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Cascada
Its weak spot is suspension: 34% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension8.5%34% above avg
- Tyres5.8%2% above avg
- Brakes4.7%1% below avg
- Lights and electrics4.5%41% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%15% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2%11% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1%48% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%85% above avg
- Steering0.2%86% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.65% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.58% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.61% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.25% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.22% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.06% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Windscreen washers not working 0.95% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too high 0.8% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Cascada's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.18%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.58%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.22%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.77%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive3.52%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Cascada
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Vauxhall Cascada covers about 6,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel50.7%
- Petrol49.3%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Black, Blue, Brown
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Cascada compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 30.2% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Roadster | 19.6% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 124 | 12.5% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Cascada questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Cascada reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Cascada is about average: it fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 57 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Cascada MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Cascada are coil spring fractured or broken (6.65% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.58% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.61% of tests). By area, suspension fails 8.5% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Cascada year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Cascada do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Cascada covers about 6,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Vauxhall Cascada before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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