2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

How the 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Combo Lifes first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Combo Life figure was 5.0 points lower.

Common 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT failures

Share of the 1,142 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Most common failure items

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

1. Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
2. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 Combo Lifes, as a share of all 5,999 first tests, 2023–2025.

Questions about the 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life?

In 2025, 81.0% of Combo Lifes first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2020 Combo Life most often fail its MOT on?

Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 37.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (28.7%) and lamps and electrical equipment (27.2%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (30.3%).

How often does a 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life fail its MOT?

In 2025, 19.0% of first tests on Combo Lifes first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 14.4% failed, and a further 4.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,142 of 5,999 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.8%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (2.4%).

Is a 2020 Vauxhall Combo Life reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 80.2% in 2023 to 81.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2020

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics