2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 47.1% of Vauxhall Combos first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. Across 10,462 Combo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Vauxhall Combos first used in 2006 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
47.1%
of 2,568 first tests; all cars first used in 2006: 57.0%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
10,462
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,568 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
10.4%
of 2,568 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
125,000
middle half: 101,500–152,000 miles; all cars first used in 2006: 106,500

How the 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Combos first used in 2006 against all cars first used in 2006 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Combo figure was 9.9 points lower.

2006 ComboAll cars first used in 2006
40%50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2006, test year 2021: 55.5%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2022: 56%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2023: 56.2%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2024: 56.1%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2025: 57%2006 Combo, test year 2021: 45.8%2006 Combo, test year 2022: 45.6%2006 Combo, test year 2023: 46.6%2006 Combo, test year 2024: 47.5%2006 Combo, test year 2025: 47.1%57%47.1%
View this chart as a table
Test year2006 ComboAll cars first used 2006Combo first tests
202145.8%55.5%6,380
202245.6%56.0%5,526
202346.6%56.2%4,462
202447.5%56.1%3,432
202547.1%57.0%2,568

Common 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT failures

Share of the 5,545 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%.

Suspension51.4%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment48.1%
Brakes38.5%
Tyres23.5%
Body, chassis, structure23.3%
Visibility21.5%
Steering15.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks10.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength14.1%782
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.7%762
Coil spring: fractured or broken13.3%740
Position lamp: not working11.9%659
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect11.8%653

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

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Combo in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2006 Vauxhall Combo before buying

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

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2006 Combos, as a share of all 10,462 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material32.7%3,420
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive27.7%2,895
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge25.8%2,698
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)16.8%1,761
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened14.8%1,545

Questions about the 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2006 Vauxhall Combo?

In 2025, 47.1% of Combos first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2006 Combo most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 51.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (48.1%) and brakes (38.5%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (14.1%).

How often does a 2006 Vauxhall Combo fail its MOT?

In 2025, 52.9% of first tests on Combos first used in 2006 did not pass first time: 45.4% failed, and a further 7.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,545 of 10,462 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 32.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (27.7%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (25.8%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (16.8%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (14.8%).

Is a 2006 Vauxhall Combo 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 45.8% in 2021 to 47.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2006

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

2006 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2006 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2006 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2006 MINI Hatch MOT statistics

How the 2006 Vauxhall Combo MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2006 Combo” means a Vauxhall Combo whose date of first use falls in 2006 (55, 06 and 56 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2006, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.