Vauxhall Rascal Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vauxhall Rascal car check
Is the Vauxhall Rascal reliable? We analysed 30,067 real MOT tests across 5,181 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vauxhall Rascal? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vauxhall Rascal is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, fog lamp not working and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vauxhall Rascal.
Vauxhall Rascal Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vauxhall Rascal. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vauxhall Rascal MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vauxhall Rascal to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vauxhall Rascal Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vauxhall Rascal fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vauxhall Rascal Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vauxhall Rascal owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vauxhall Rascal MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vauxhall Rascal year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 2,677 | 64.4% | 36,998 | 61,963 | 80,564 |
| 1992 | 6,172 | 65.3% | 34,495 | 58,684 | 78,259 |
| 1991 | 8,481 | 65.1% | 36,059 | 59,748 | 79,409 |
| 1990 | 5,877 | 65.2% | 33,358 | 62,680 | 81,403 |
| 1989 | 2,697 | 62.8% | 29,714 | 61,371 | 80,712 |
| 1988 | 2,383 | 65.2% | 33,028 | 60,826 | 80,039 |
| 1987 | 1,064 | 63.3% | 43,894 | 68,833 | 84,393 |
| 1986 | 646 | 67.0% | 43,829 | 67,842 | 81,394 |
How Long Does a Vauxhall Rascal Last?
Based on 5,181 Vauxhall Rascal vehicles on UK roads.
Vauxhall Rascal Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vauxhall Rascal 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 Rascal
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.0% MOT pass rate from 646 tests
62.8% MOT pass rate from 2,697 tests
The best year to buy a used Vauxhall Rascal is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.0% across 646 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vauxhall Rascal Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Rascal THIS CAR | 64.9% | 30,067 | 61,060 mi | 40 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 |
| BMW 545 | 76.9% | 11,076 | 87,363 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Vauxhall Corsa (69.7% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Astra (71.9% pass rate), the Vauxhall Rascal trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Vauxhall Rascal 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 RascalShould you buy a used Vauxhall Rascal?
The Vauxhall Rascal has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.9% across 30,067 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Vauxhall Rascal are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2,785 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (1,982), and suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,802). 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 Rascal owner drives around 1,586 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 Rascal models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.