Vauxhall Cresta Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vauxhall Cresta car check
Is the Vauxhall Cresta reliable? We analysed 4,159 real MOT tests across 537 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vauxhall Cresta? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vauxhall Cresta is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, brake binding and brakes imbalanced across an axle. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vauxhall Cresta.
Vauxhall Cresta Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vauxhall Cresta. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vauxhall Cresta MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vauxhall Cresta to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vauxhall Cresta Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vauxhall Cresta fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vauxhall Cresta Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vauxhall Cresta owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vauxhall Cresta MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vauxhall Cresta year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 138 | 81.9% | 23,179 | 57,842 | 73,032 |
| 1971 | 102 | 80.4% | 14,397 | 53,116 | 62,778 |
| 1970 | 84 | 82.1% | 9,038 | 60,689 | 69,777 |
| 1969 | 93 | 89.2% | 50,908 | 67,894 | 78,615 |
| 1967 | 90 | 80.0% | 37,139 | 49,753 | 61,166 |
| 1966 | 175 | 84.6% | 10,284 | 51,779 | 76,689 |
| 1965 | 134 | 79.1% | 41,672 | 53,163 | 83,189 |
| 1964 | 225 | 88.0% | 52,211 | 70,435 | 80,204 |
| 1963 | 296 | 79.7% | 47,485 | 65,366 | 74,509 |
| 1962 | 829 | 82.9% | 23,018 | 55,313 | 74,569 |
| 1961 | 594 | 86.4% | 26,859 | 54,874 | 74,336 |
| 1960 | 423 | 79.4% | 27,398 | 47,614 | 79,884 |
| 1959 | 158 | 81.6% | 48,623 | 69,295 | 78,895 |
| 1958 | 143 | 84.6% | 31,545 | 48,884 | 65,874 |
| 1956 | 120 | 89.2% | 36,096 | 49,991 | 64,388 |
| 1955 | 76 | 82.9% | 8,684 | 53,212 | 80,343 |
How Long Does a Vauxhall Cresta Last?
Based on 537 Vauxhall Cresta vehicles on UK roads.
Vauxhall Cresta Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vauxhall Cresta 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 Vauxhall Cresta
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.2% MOT pass rate from 120 tests
79.1% MOT pass rate from 134 tests
The best year to buy a used Vauxhall Cresta is 1956, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.2% across 120 tests. The 1965 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vauxhall Cresta Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Cresta THIS CAR | 83.3% | 4,159 | 56,545 mi | 71 yrs |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 69.7% | 26,893,546 | 58,908 mi | 33 yrs |
| Vauxhall Astra | 71.9% | 25,288,868 | 76,280 mi | 34 yrs |
| Vauxhall Zafira | 71.9% | 8,488,627 | 75,062 mi | 27 yrs |
| Kawasaki Ex 650 C9F | 87.5% | 4,120 | 13,334 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Vauxhall Corsa (69.7% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Astra (71.9% pass rate), the Vauxhall Cresta outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Vauxhall Cresta 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 Vauxhall CrestaShould you buy a used Vauxhall Cresta?
The Vauxhall Cresta has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.3% across 4,159 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 Vauxhall Cresta are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (118 recorded failures), brake binding (107), and brakes imbalanced across an axle (78). 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 Vauxhall Cresta owner drives around 292 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 Vauxhall Cresta models stay on UK roads for around 71 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.