Used car guide

2004 Vauxhall VX220: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Vauxhall VX220s, from 124 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 124 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

124MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
2,100typical miles a year
12%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2004 Vauxhall VX220 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    11% 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.

  • Brakes
    11% 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.

  • Tyres
    10% 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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    5% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003253Tyres 12%
2002161Brakes 17%
2001151Brakes 18%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Vauxhall VX220s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score