Opel Monza Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Monza car check
Is the Opel Monza reliable? We analysed 2,604 real MOT tests across 334 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Monza? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Monza is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake binding and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Monza.
Opel Monza Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Monza. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Monza MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Monza to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Monza Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Monza fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Monza Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Monza owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Monza MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Monza year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 577 | 76.1% | 71,629 | 101,663 | 129,076 |
| 1985 | 899 | 75.5% | 57,803 | 89,146 | 117,923 |
| 1984 | 407 | 70.0% | 54,994 | 84,354 | 116,860 |
| 1983 | 360 | 75.8% | 11,069 | 41,714 | 73,416 |
| 1982 | 70 | 77.1% | 35,553 | 49,940 | 58,638 |
| 1981 | 60 | 76.7% | 29,743 | 48,694 | 64,836 |
| 1979 | 102 | 71.6% | 52,564 | 71,924 | 78,516 |
How Long Does a Opel Monza Last?
Based on 334 Opel Monza vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Monza Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Monza 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 Monza
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.1% MOT pass rate from 70 tests
70.0% MOT pass rate from 407 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Monza is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.1% across 70 tests. The 1984 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Monza Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Monza THIS CAR | 75.1% | 2,604 | 80,972 mi | 47 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 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Hse D Auto | 88.4% | 3,076 | 29,771 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Monza outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Monza 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 MonzaShould you buy a used Opel Monza?
The Opel Monza has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.1% across 2,604 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Opel Monza are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (139 recorded failures), brake binding (105), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (61). 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 Monza owner drives around 592 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 Monza models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.