Opel Vectra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Vectra car check
Is the Opel Vectra reliable? We analysed 5,243 real MOT tests across 693 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Vectra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Vectra 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 registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Vectra.
Opel Vectra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Vectra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Vectra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Vectra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Vectra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Vectra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Vectra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Vectra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Vectra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Vectra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 65 | 63.1% | 126,205 | 206,721 | 251,214 |
| 2007 | 71 | 66.2% | 119,250 | 156,241 | 177,979 |
| 2006 | 85 | 71.8% | 80,583 | 109,143 | 139,785 |
| 2005 | 61 | 63.9% | 118,142 | 164,327 | 190,760 |
| 2004 | 94 | 68.1% | 39,696 | 83,123 | 107,620 |
| 2003 | 272 | 66.2% | 55,628 | 78,431 | 110,372 |
| 2002 | 145 | 66.2% | 57,055 | 79,372 | 109,856 |
| 2001 | 420 | 66.0% | 67,904 | 104,374 | 141,668 |
| 2000 | 2,375 | 68.6% | 63,329 | 87,446 | 113,842 |
| 1999 | 655 | 67.5% | 62,860 | 90,246 | 124,486 |
| 1998 | 291 | 67.7% | 66,139 | 101,886 | 138,835 |
| 1997 | 167 | 67.1% | 75,284 | 100,938 | 154,978 |
| 1996 | 170 | 54.7% | 110,110 | 131,628 | 180,660 |
| 1993 | 68 | 61.8% | 99,892 | 119,952 | 217,758 |
| 1992 | 53 | 56.6% | 156,704 | 182,603 | 214,188 |
How Long Does a Opel Vectra Last?
Based on 693 Opel Vectra vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Vectra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Vectra 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 Vectra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.8% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
54.7% MOT pass rate from 170 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Vectra is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.8% across 85 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 54.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Vectra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Vectra THIS CAR | 67.0% | 5,243 | 95,776 mi | 30 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 |
| Mazda 626 Gxi | 63.6% | 2,423 | 103,932 mi | 30 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Astra (69.2% pass rate), the Opel Vectra trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Vectra 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 VectraShould you buy a used Opel Vectra?
The Opel Vectra has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.0% across 5,243 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Vectra are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (371 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (311), and registration plate lamp not working (189). 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 Vectra owner drives around 6,405 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 Vectra models stay on UK roads for around 30 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.