Used car guide

2014 Vauxhall Ampera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Vauxhall Amperas, from 458 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 458 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

458MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,100typical miles a year
5.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Vauxhall Amperas than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5.3× usual
    Vauxhall Ampera
    14.4% All 2014 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 1.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2014 Vauxhall Ampera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    17% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013209Tyres 37%
2012383Tyres 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Vauxhall Amperas registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score