Used car guide · 2021–2022

Vauxhall Combo-E common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Combo-E, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 697 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

697MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
1known fault across all years

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20222021

What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Combo-E?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

    Cars registered 2021–2022 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Vauxhall Combo-E MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Nail or damage in a tyre

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Wipers

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Vauxhall Combo-E MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202281%89% -8594
202181%87% -6103 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Combo-E

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
  2. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Vauxhall Combo-E as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Vauxhall Combo-E as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the nail or damage in a tyre? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Vauxhall Combo-E as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Combo-E?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score