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Opel Combo Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Opel Combo car check

Is the Opel Combo reliable? We analysed 1,283 real MOT tests across 160 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,283 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
65.8%
Typical Mileage
100,766mi
Annual Mileage
6,076mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Opel Combo is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, track rod end ball joint has excessive play and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Combo.

Opel Combo Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Opel Combo. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Opel Combo MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Opel Combo to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

67.1%
2003
64.5%
2002
64.4%
2001
66.4%
2000
62.9%
1999

Opel Combo Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Opel Combo fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 85
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 55
Registration plate lamp not working 51
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 44
Registration plate lamp not working 42
position lamp(s) not working 40
Stop lamp not working 39
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 36
Headlamp aim too low 36
Headlamp insecure 34

Opel Combo Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Opel Combo owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,189 mi/yr
Typical
6,076 mi/yr
Average
6,973 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,534 mi/yr

Opel Combo MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Combo year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 82 67.1% 59,184 99,302 131,045
2002 349 64.5% 77,508 111,630 142,105
2001 331 64.4% 66,378 89,805 111,197
2000 211 66.4% 72,087 98,066 121,235
1999 70 62.9% 72,695 97,625 131,951

How Long Does a Opel Combo Last?

Based on 160 Opel Combo vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.6 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Opel Combo Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Opel Combo MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
100,766 mi
75th Percentile
134,610 mi
95th Percentile
182,442 mi
Max Recorded
843,382 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Combo

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2003

67.1% MOT pass rate from 82 tests

Year to avoid
1999

62.9% MOT pass rate from 70 tests

The best year to buy a used Opel Combo is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.1% across 82 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Opel Combo Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Opel Combo THIS CAR 65.8% 1,283 100,766 mi 27 yrs
Opel Zafira 68.5% 30,915 93,196 mi 27 yrs
Opel Astra 69.2% 26,435 84,472 mi 28 yrs
Opel Corsa 65.8% 19,398 69,011 mi 33 yrs
Dacia Sandero Essential Lpg Tce 86.5% 1,570 24,665 mi — yrs

Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Combo trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Opel Combo you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

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Should you buy a used Opel Combo?

The Opel Combo has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.8% across 1,283 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Opel Combo are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (85 recorded failures), track rod end ball joint has excessive play (55), and registration plate lamp not working (51). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Opel Combo owner drives around 6,076 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Opel Combo models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Opel Combo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Opel Combo reliable?
Based on 1,283 MOT tests, the Opel Combo has a 65.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Opel Combo?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, track rod end ball joint has excessive play, and registration plate lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Opel Combo do per year?
The typical Opel Combo does around 6,076 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Opel Combo last?
Most Opel Combo models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 160 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Opel Combo?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Opel Combo?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Opel Combo is 2003 with a 67.1% pass rate across 82 tests.