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Vulcan Custom Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Vulcan Custom car check

Is the Vulcan Custom reliable? We analysed 1,299 real MOT tests across 270 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,299 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.0%
Typical Mileage
6,701mi
Annual Mileage
871mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
23yrs

The Vulcan Custom is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam and drive chain excessively loose. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vulcan Custom.

Vulcan Custom Number Plates

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

Vulcan Custom MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

66.1%
2006
71.8%
2005
65.2%
2004
69%
2003

Vulcan Custom Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 63
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 46
Drive chain excessively loose 37
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 28
Direction indicator not working 24
shock absorber has inadequate damping effect. 22
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when switched on 22
position lamp does not illuminate immediately when it is switched on 21
Drive chain sprocket worn to excess 20
Headlamp aim too high 20

Vulcan Custom Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
200 mi/yr
Typical
871 mi/yr
Average
1,811 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,548 mi/yr

Vulcan Custom MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 62 66.1% 2,246 6,677 13,533
2005 259 71.8% 3,083 7,053 15,884
2004 575 65.2% 3,461 6,980 10,697
2003 361 69.0% 3,266 6,715 10,364

How Long Does a Vulcan Custom Last?

Based on 270 Vulcan Custom vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.8 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
23 years

Vulcan Custom Mileage Distribution

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

Median
6,701 mi
75th Percentile
10,976 mi
95th Percentile
23,275 mi
Max Recorded
102,272 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Vulcan Custom

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

Best year
2005

71.8% MOT pass rate from 259 tests

Year to avoid
2004

65.2% MOT pass rate from 575 tests

The best year to buy a used Vulcan Custom is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.8% across 259 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Vulcan Custom Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Vulcan Custom THIS CAR 68.0% 1,299 6,701 mi 23 yrs
Vulcan Harrier 63.2% 427 7,025 mi 22 yrs
Vauxhall Corsa Design Ac 88.8% 854 57,988 mi — yrs
Mercedes Cls 320 CDI Auto 72% 1,920 121,231 mi — yrs
Honda Dominator 82.5% 1,401 23,206 mi 38 yrs

Compared to the Vulcan Harrier (63.2% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Corsa Design Ac (88.8% pass rate), the Vulcan Custom sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Vulcan Custom?

The Vulcan Custom has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.0% across 1,299 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Vulcan Custom are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (63 recorded failures), headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam (46), and drive chain excessively loose (37). 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 Vulcan Custom owner drives around 871 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 Vulcan Custom models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.

Vulcan Custom — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vulcan Custom reliable?
Based on 1,299 MOT tests, the Vulcan Custom has a 68.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Vulcan Custom?
The most common MOT failures are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam, and drive chain excessively loose. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Vulcan Custom do per year?
The typical Vulcan Custom does around 871 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Vulcan Custom last?
Most Vulcan Custom models stay on UK roads for around 23 years based on our analysis of 270 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Vulcan Custom?
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 Vulcan Custom?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Vulcan Custom is 2005 with a 71.8% pass rate across 259 tests.