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Opel Omega Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Opel Omega car check

Is the Opel Omega reliable? We analysed 1,115 real MOT tests across 167 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,115 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.0%
Typical Mileage
104,092mi
Annual Mileage
5,972mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Opel Omega is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Omega.

Opel Omega Number Plates

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

Opel Omega MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

71.1%
2002
70.9%
2001
67.6%
2000
68.9%
1999
72.1%
1997
56.1%
1996
65.8%
1995

Opel Omega Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 92
Brake pipe excessively corroded 53
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 35
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 33
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 31
Headlamp aim too low 28
coil spring incomplete 26
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 25
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 21
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 20

Opel Omega Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,339 mi/yr
Typical
5,972 mi/yr
Average
7,100 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,593 mi/yr

Opel Omega MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 76 71.1% 88,556 112,085 161,080
2001 86 70.9% 67,193 95,412 126,478
2000 435 67.6% 60,238 88,801 119,746
1999 119 68.9% 88,629 104,256 133,550
1997 61 72.1% 109,291 144,633 185,054
1996 66 56.1% 53,270 97,466 162,108
1995 73 65.8% 73,641 126,233 131,731

How Long Does a Opel Omega Last?

Based on 167 Opel Omega vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Opel Omega Mileage Distribution

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

Median
104,092 mi
75th Percentile
140,542 mi
95th Percentile
210,312 mi
Max Recorded
426,223 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Omega

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

Best year
1997

72.1% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

Year to avoid
1996

56.1% MOT pass rate from 66 tests

The best year to buy a used Opel Omega is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.1% across 61 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Opel Omega Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Opel Omega THIS CAR 68.0% 1,115 104,092 mi 31 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
Vauxhall Grandland X Griffin Turbo D 88.9% 624 36,540 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Opel Omega?

The Opel Omega has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.0% across 1,115 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Opel Omega are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (92 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (53), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (35). 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 Omega owner drives around 5,972 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 Omega models stay on UK roads for around 31 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 Omega — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Opel Omega reliable?
Based on 1,115 MOT tests, the Opel Omega has a 68.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Opel Omega?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Opel Omega do per year?
The typical Opel Omega does around 5,972 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Opel Omega last?
Most Opel Omega models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 167 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Opel Omega?
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 Omega?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Opel Omega is 1997 with a 72.1% pass rate across 61 tests.