Diesel Vauxhall Combo: MOT pass rate

66.2% of diesel Vauxhall Combos pass the MOT first time, measured across 87,522 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 99,269.

Diesel against the other Vauxhall Combo versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Vauxhall Combo specifically, petrol is the strongest at 83.5%, and this diesel version sits 0.6 points below the 66.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Vauxhall Combo had covered 99,269 miles at test, against 42,013 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Vauxhall Combo page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Vauxhall Combo

1. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.3% of tests (3.12x the national rate for this defect)
2. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 6.3% of tests (2.79x the national rate for this defect)
3. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.5% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this defect)
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.1% of tests (2.37x the national rate for this defect)
5. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 4.3% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect)
6. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.7% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.7% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5% of tests (2.14x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.6% of tests (2.14x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.5% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)

From 88,051 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Combo tests, 2024, split out from the Vauxhall Combo's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.34% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Vauxhall Combo

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 15.5% of tests (2.5x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 9.5% of tests (2.44x the national rate for this defect)
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 12.3% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.7% of tests (2.02x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.6% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.5% of tests (1.96x the national rate for this defect)
7. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.3% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 36% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 13% of tests, also fails

From 88,051 DVSA-tracked diesel Vauxhall Combo tests, 2024.

Other Vauxhall Combo fuel types

• Petrol Vauxhall Combo - 83.5%

All Vauxhall Combo MOT data · Every model