Van · 1996–2021 cars

Vauxhall Combo reliability

The Vauxhall Combo fails 41.4% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 317,134 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 24/100#27 of 40 vans

Checking a Vauxhall Combo before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 41.4%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 29% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 317,134; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 11,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Vauxhall Combo has a higher MOT fail rate than average. 41.4% of first-time tests fail, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 29% more MOT fails, and it ranks 27 of 40 van models. Steering is its weakest area, with 95% more fails there than comparable cars. Year matters: 2010 cars did best, with 7% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2020 cars did worst, with 88% more.

A Combo can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Coil springs were the most common MOT failure, at 6.14% of tests, so look hard at them and the steering. Get an independent inspection before you commit. On the car you're looking at, check the coil springs, steering, wiper blades, position lamps and tyre tread below 1.6mm.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Vauxhall Combo ages

Each point is the share of Vauxhall Combos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Vauxhall ComboAll cars

Vauxhall Combo first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Vauxhall Combo	All cars
3	29.2%	12.3%
4	28.1%	14.1%
5	32%	16.4%
6	38%	19.1%
7	38.6%	22.1%
8	42.1%	25.5%
9	43.2%	28.8%
10	44.7%	31.8%
11	43%	34.6%
12	41.4%	37.3%
13	44.2%	39.5%
14	48%	41.1%
15	51.5%	42.3%
16	52.8%	42.9%
17	53.2%	43.4%
18	53.2%	43.5%
19	52.9%	43.4%
20	53.2%	42.8%
21	54.8%	41.4%
22	46.9%	40.6%
23	45.2%	38.9%

By year

The best and worst Vauxhall Combo years

2010 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Vauxhall Combo MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Combo	5,005	25.5%	71% more fails	43,687
2020 Combo	23,761	29%	88% more fails	45,415
2019 Combo	39,457	27.8%	76% more fails	45,938
2018 Combo	9,791	32.4%	85% more fails	53,746
2017 Combo	11,996	36.7%	75% more fails	71,428
2016 Combo	16,764	39.1%	61% more fails	83,727
2015 Combo	17,516	40.3%	46% more fails	93,412
2014 Combo	16,575	41.2%	36% more fails	97,857
2013 Combo	11,574	44.6%	35% more fails	103,971
2012 Combo	10,670	48.2%	34% more fails	109,971
2011 Combo	27,183	39.6%	7% more fails	98,559
2010 Combo	25,423	41.4%	7% more fails	98,036
2009 Combo	15,746	48.4%	15% more fails	115,482
2008 Combo	21,798	50.8%	16% more fails	123,542
2007 Combo	18,618	52.6%	17% more fails	127,214
2006 Combo	14,963	53.3%	18% more fails	124,719
2005 Combo	10,428	52.4%	15% more fails	124,104
2004 Combo	9,394	54.6%	18% more fails	137,809
2003 Combo	7,021	54.9%	20% more fails	134,590
2002 Combo	2,396	52%	16% more fails	138,246
2001	402	47.3%	12% more fails	107,406
2000	201	46.3%	13% more fails	105,956
1999	246	40.7%	5% more fails	99,760

Common problems

What fails most on a Vauxhall Combo

Its weak spot is steering: 95% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics19.3%40% above avg
Suspension17.4%60% above avg
Brakes11.2%36% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.7%83% above avg
Tyres9.3%34% above avg
Body, chassis and structure6.5%46% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.3%32% above avg
Steering4.6%95% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%16% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.14% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.04% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working 3.38% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.28% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.86% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
6
Stop lamp not working 2.75% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.68% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.66% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Combo's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.38%
Engine oil leak, not excessive9.98%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy9.38%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.11%
Shock absorber light oil misting6.55%
Slight play in steering rack joints6.34%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Vauxhall Combo

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
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre 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 Combo covers about 11,700 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

Diesel96.5%
Petrol3.4%
LPG0.1%
Other0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Red, Silver, Blue, Grey

Average engine size: 1.4 litres.

Compare

How the Vauxhall Combo compares with its rivals

Vauxhall Combo against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Fiat Ducato	25.8%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Caddy	30.5%	about average for its age
Mercedes-Benz Vito	33.7%	3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Transit Custom	20.7%	14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Combo	41.4%	29% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Trafic	41.5%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Partner	38.1%	32% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.

Questions

Vauxhall Combo questions, answered

Is the Vauxhall Combo reliable?

On MOT results, the Vauxhall Combo is well below average: it fails 41.4% of first MOT tests, 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 27 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Vauxhall Combo MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Combo are coil spring fractured or broken (6.14% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.04% of tests), position lamp not working (3.38% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 19.3% of its tests.

Which Vauxhall Combo year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (7% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (88% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Vauxhall Combo do a year?

A typical Vauxhall Combo covers about 11,700 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 Combo 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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