2003 Vauxhall Combo · 7,021 MOT tests
2003 Vauxhall Combo reliability
2003 Vauxhall Combos fail 54.9% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 20 Combo years (7,021 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Combos: 41.4%)
- 54.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Combos: 41.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 134,590
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,021
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 12.2% of tests fail here (133% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 17% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Vauxhall Combo
Fail rate by area
- Suspension28.6%
- Lights and electrics27.3%
- Brakes22.5%
- Body, chassis and structure16.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors13.3%
- Steering12.2%
- Tyres11.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.78%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.21%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 6.51%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 5.78%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 5.58%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.48%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (28.97%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (22.89%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (21.15%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (15.47%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (10.45%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.24%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Combo year
The full picture: Vauxhall Combo reliability. Before you pay for any Vauxhall Combo, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Vauxhall Combo reliable?
2003 Vauxhall Combos fail 54.9% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 20 Combo years (7,021 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Vauxhall Combo MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.78% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (7.21% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (6.51% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Vauxhall Combo have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Vauxhall Combo shows 134,590 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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