1999 Vauxhall Vectra: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Vauxhall Vectras, from 206 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 206 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Vauxhall Vectras than on all cars registered in 1999.
- Rigid brake pipes2.1× usualVauxhall Vectra32.5% All 1999 cars15.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
By area
The share of 1999 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes48% 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.
- Suspension44% 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 electrics35% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres29% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks24% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
- Rust and bodywork18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,270 | Suspension 53% |
| 2008 | 7,050 | Suspension 53% |
| 2007 | 6,118 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 3,176 | Suspension 52% |
| 2005 | 1,456 | Suspension 57% |
| 2004 | 897 | Suspension 59% |
| 2003 | 498 | Suspension 55% |
| 2002 | 448 | Brakes 49% |
| 2001 | 488 | Brakes 47% |
| 2000 | 290 | Brakes 40% |
| 1998 | 151 | Suspension 35% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Vauxhall Vectras registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score