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Vauxhall VX220 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Vauxhall VX220 car check

Is the Vauxhall VX220 reliable? We analysed 30,598 real MOT tests across 2,048 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 30,598 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.2%
Typical Mileage
40,346mi
Annual Mileage
1,641mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Vauxhall VX220 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and headlamp aim too high. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vauxhall VX220.

Vauxhall VX220 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Vauxhall VX220. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Vauxhall VX220 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Vauxhall VX220 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

81.7%
2007
83.6%
2006
82.8%
2005
82.3%
2004
81.2%
2003
78.9%
2002
77.2%
2001
75.4%
2000

Vauxhall VX220 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Vauxhall VX220 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 888
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 478
Headlamp aim too high 474
Headlamp aim too low 378
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 369
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 285
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 281
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault 264
Horn not working 250
position lamp(s) not working 239

Vauxhall VX220 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Vauxhall VX220 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
571 mi/yr
Typical
1,641 mi/yr
Average
2,807 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,872 mi/yr

Vauxhall VX220 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vauxhall VX220 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 71 81.7% 12,479 24,752 29,770
2006 1,380 83.6% 15,688 26,484 43,468
2005 1,546 82.8% 18,241 31,656 46,795
2004 4,424 82.3% 19,365 30,996 46,982
2003 10,375 81.2% 24,889 39,608 57,707
2002 6,564 78.9% 29,286 45,891 65,106
2001 5,691 77.2% 31,093 48,624 66,822
2000 451 75.4% 35,910 47,750 67,894

How Long Does a Vauxhall VX220 Last?

Based on 2,048 Vauxhall VX220 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
16.4 years
Median
19.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
25 years

Vauxhall VX220 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Vauxhall VX220 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
40,346 mi
75th Percentile
59,289 mi
95th Percentile
89,701 mi
Max Recorded
793,018 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Vauxhall VX220

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

Best year
2006

83.6% MOT pass rate from 1,380 tests

Year to avoid
2000

75.4% MOT pass rate from 451 tests

The best year to buy a used Vauxhall VX220 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.6% across 1,380 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Vauxhall VX220 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Vauxhall VX220 THIS CAR 80.2% 30,598 40,346 mi 25 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
Honda CB600 84.4% 51,340 19,411 mi 28 yrs

Compared to the Vauxhall Corsa (69.7% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Astra (71.9% pass rate), the Vauxhall VX220 outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Vauxhall VX220?

The Vauxhall VX220 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.2% across 30,598 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 VX220 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (888 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (478), and headlamp aim too high (474). 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 VX220 owner drives around 1,641 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 VX220 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.

Vauxhall VX220 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vauxhall VX220 reliable?
Based on 30,598 MOT tests, the Vauxhall VX220 has a 80.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Vauxhall VX220?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and headlamp aim too high. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Vauxhall VX220 do per year?
The typical Vauxhall VX220 does around 1,641 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Vauxhall VX220 last?
Most Vauxhall VX220 models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 2,048 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Vauxhall VX220?
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 Vauxhall VX220?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Vauxhall VX220 is 2006 with a 83.6% pass rate across 1,380 tests.