Vauxhall Firenza Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vauxhall Firenza car check
Is the Vauxhall Firenza reliable? We analysed 1,170 real MOT tests across 149 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vauxhall Firenza? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vauxhall Firenza is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vauxhall Firenza.
Vauxhall Firenza Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vauxhall Firenza. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vauxhall Firenza MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vauxhall Firenza to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vauxhall Firenza Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vauxhall Firenza fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vauxhall Firenza Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vauxhall Firenza owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vauxhall Firenza MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vauxhall Firenza year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 73 | 90.4% | 29,579 | 44,840 | 80,422 |
| 1975 | 119 | 91.6% | 12,632 | 32,971 | 68,542 |
| 1974 | 141 | 83.0% | 12,126 | 50,620 | 74,228 |
| 1973 | 107 | 87.9% | 41,808 | 51,626 | 71,393 |
| 1972 | 400 | 77.8% | 21,272 | 56,852 | 78,947 |
| 1971 | 274 | 82.5% | 22,127 | 53,726 | 77,402 |
How Long Does a Vauxhall Firenza Last?
Based on 149 Vauxhall Firenza vehicles on UK roads.
Vauxhall Firenza Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vauxhall Firenza 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 Firenza
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.6% MOT pass rate from 119 tests
77.8% MOT pass rate from 400 tests
The best year to buy a used Vauxhall Firenza is 1975, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.6% across 119 tests. The 1972 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vauxhall Firenza Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Firenza THIS CAR | 82.6% | 1,170 | 50,428 mi | 55 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 |
| Porsche Cayman S S-a | 94.1% | 1,618 | 34,440 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Vauxhall Corsa (69.7% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Astra (71.9% pass rate), the Vauxhall Firenza outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Vauxhall Firenza 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 FirenzaShould you buy a used Vauxhall Firenza?
The Vauxhall Firenza has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.6% across 1,170 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 Firenza are brake binding (23 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (20), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (20). 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 Firenza owner drives around 399 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 Firenza models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.