Vauxhall Ampera MOT pass rate and common problems
75.6% of 1,816 Vauxhall Ampera MOT tests pass.
The Ampera has a pass rate of 75.6%, a little higher than the average across all Vauxhall models (73.5%).
At 75.6%, the Vauxhall Ampera passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Vauxhall Ampera?
This is the average across every Vauxhall Ampera in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Vauxhall’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 76.1% at 6–10 years versus 75.3% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 76.1% | 532 | 81,742 miles |
| 10–15 years | 75.3% | 1,283 | 100,283 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Vauxhall Ampera
The most common reason the Vauxhall Ampera fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.1% | Not working |
| Tyres | 33.4% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 25.4% | Significantly and obviously worn |
| Suspension | 20.9% | Fractured or broken |
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 3.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 1.0% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 0.2% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Vauxhall Ampera: what to check
These checks follow the Vauxhall Ampera’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 87.3% down to 73.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.1% of failed Vauxhall Ampera MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 33.4% of failed Vauxhall Ampera MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 25.4% of failed Vauxhall Ampera MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 20.9% of failed Vauxhall Ampera MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 18.9% of failed Vauxhall Ampera MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Vauxhall service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Vauxhall models
- Vauxhall Cascada — 82.3% pass rate
- Vauxhall Cavalier — 78.3% pass rate
- Vauxhall Nova — 85.2% pass rate
- Vauxhall Omega — 70.8% pass rate
- Vauxhall Signum — 64.8% pass rate
- Vauxhall Frontera — 69.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Ampera?
- 75.6% of Vauxhall Ampera MOT tests pass, based on 1,816 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Vauxhall Ampera?
- The most common reason the Vauxhall Ampera fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Vauxhall Ampera?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Vauxhall Ampera are lights and electrics; tyres; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Vauxhall Ampera?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Vauxhall Ampera's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Vauxhall service history guide for how to check and keep one.