Family SUV · 2017–2021 cars
Vauxhall Grandland reliability
The Vauxhall Grandland fails 13.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 158,233 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Grandland before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 13.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 158,233
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Vauxhall Grandland is about average for its age and mileage. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 13.6%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it ranks 38 of 59 family SUV models. Cars from 2021 did best, with 20% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Cars from 2018 did worst, with 11% more. Buy the right example and you can get a sound car.
Body, chassis and structure is the weak area, with 155% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage. Check the underside closely for corrosion before you buy. Then check the most common failures: tyre tread below 1.6mm, brake pads worn below 1.5mm, tyre cuts reaching the ply or cords, and a dipped beam headlamp that isn't working.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Grandland ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Grandlands of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Grandland | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 17.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.6% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Grandland years
2021 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Grandland | 6,994 | 9.6% | 20% fewer fails | 28,032 |
| 2020 Grandland | 32,505 | 10.2% | 17% fewer fails | 28,291 |
| 2019 Grandland | 61,679 | 12.7% | 5% fewer fails | 32,393 |
| 2018 Grandland | 56,876 | 17.1% | 11% more fails | 39,403 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Grandland
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 155% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.7%1% below avg
- Lights and electrics3.1%3% below avg
- Brakes2.9%16% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%44% below avg
- Suspension1.6%24% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.1%155% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%6% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%81% above avg
- Wheels0.2%12% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.42% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.38% 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 cut reaching ply or cords 0.86% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working 0.69% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 0.59% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.53% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.49% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Grandland's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.39%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.45%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.33%
- Child seat limits belt inspection3.02%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.84%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.99%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Grandland
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 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.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 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 Grandland covers about 8,700 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
- Petrol73.4%
- Diesel25.4%
- Hybrid1.2%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, Black, White, Red
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Grandland compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguar F-Pace | 13.4% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-5 | 18% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Grandland | 13.6% | about average for its age |
| Kia Sorento | 30.2% | about average for its age |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 32.5% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai ix35 | 32.5% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Kadjar | 20.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Grandland questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Grandland reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Grandland is about average: it fails 13.6% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 38 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Grandland MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Grandland are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.42% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.38% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.86% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.7% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Grandland year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (11% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Grandland do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Grandland covers about 8,700 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 Grandland 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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