Opel Frontera Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Frontera car check
Is the Opel Frontera reliable? We analysed 1,170 real MOT tests across 140 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Frontera? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Frontera is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, position lamp(s) not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Frontera.
Opel Frontera Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Frontera. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Frontera MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Frontera to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Frontera Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Frontera fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Frontera Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Frontera owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Frontera MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Frontera year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 56 | 73.2% | 44,920 | 60,706 | 80,653 |
| 2001 | 117 | 65.8% | 50,504 | 73,144 | 98,703 |
| 2000 | 468 | 69.0% | 48,769 | 67,794 | 91,869 |
| 1999 | 331 | 65.9% | 60,446 | 78,124 | 102,329 |
| 1998 | 58 | 74.1% | 62,367 | 67,288 | 86,426 |
| 1997 | 51 | 72.5% | 48,535 | 79,122 | 107,545 |
How Long Does a Opel Frontera Last?
Based on 140 Opel Frontera vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Frontera Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Frontera MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Frontera
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.1% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
65.8% MOT pass rate from 117 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Frontera is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.1% across 58 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Frontera Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Frontera THIS CAR | 68.3% | 1,170 | 72,870 mi | 29 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 |
| Ford F250 | 79.7% | 2,251 | 84,667 mi | 38 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Frontera trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Frontera 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.
Check a specific Opel FronteraShould you buy a used Opel Frontera?
The Opel Frontera has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 1,170 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Frontera are brake pipe excessively corroded (91 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (47), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (37). 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 Frontera owner drives around 4,595 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 Frontera models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.