2012 · 12 years old at test · Electric mostly

2012 Vauxhall Ampera MOT pass rate and common faults

387 MOT tests in 2024. 66.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time66.9%
Failed or needed repairs33.1%
Typical mileage at test103,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 387 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction9.3%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.4%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  4. Side repeaters: not working3.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    10 marked dangerous
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    12 marked dangerous
  8. Macpherson strut: top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play1.8%
  9. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.6%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating1.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics17.3%
  2. Brakes10.6%
  3. Emissions & leaks9.6%
  4. Suspension9.6%
  5. Tyres7.0%
  6. Body & chassis6.2%
  7. Number plates & VIN1.6%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened20.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine4.4%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened3.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Ampera years2013 Ampera →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Vauxhall Ampera?

In 2024, 66.9% of 2012 Vauxhall Ampera cars passed their MOT first time, across 387 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Vauxhall Ampera?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Vauxhall Ampera reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).