At a Glance
The Vauxhall Brava has 61 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Brava (1991-2002) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 63K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Vauxhall Brava common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Vauxhall Brava generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Vauxhall Brava Generations
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Most Common Vauxhall Brava MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Brava vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 21.66% |
| 2 | Driveshaft fault | 7.37% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 6.06% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.05% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.52% |
| 6 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 3.65% |
| 7 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.34% |
| 8 | Track rod end worn | 3.12% |
| 9 | Chassis condition | 3.05% |
| 10 | Exhaust system fault | 2.77% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.46% |
| 12 | Rear suspension fault | 1.89% |
| 13 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 1.70% |
| 14 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.69% |
| 15 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.65% |
| 16 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.46% |
| 17 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 1.42% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.41% |
| 19 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.41% |
| 20 | Number plate lamp not working | 1.35% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.32% |
| 22 | Fog lamp not working | 1.29% |
| 23 | Position lamp not working | 1.10% |
| 24 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.82% |
| 25 | Windscreen washer not working | 0.73% |
| 26 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.72% |
| 27 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.60% |
| 28 | Stop lamp not working | 0.58% |
| 29 | Front lamp not working | 0.57% |
| 30 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.56% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.54% |
| 32 | Rear lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 33 | Drag link end worn | 0.51% |
| 34 | Suspension unit fault | 0.49% |
| 35 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.47% |
| 36 | Towbar fault | 0.40% |
| 37 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.39% |
| 38 | Steering operation fault | 0.35% |
| 39 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.34% |
| 40 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.34% |
| 41 | Electrical switch fault | 0.34% |
| 42 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.33% |
| 43 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.31% |
| 44 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.29% |
| 45 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.27% |
| 46 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.27% |
| 47 | Steering lock fault | 0.25% |
| 48 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.24% |
| 49 | Power steering pump fault | 0.22% |
| 50 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.22% |
| 51 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.22% |
| 52 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.21% |
| 53 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.20% |
| 54 | Steering coupling worn | 0.20% |
| 55 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.19% |
| 56 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.19% |
| 57 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 58 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.18% |
| 59 | Parking brake condition | 0.18% |
| 60 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 61 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.17% |
| 62 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.16% |
| 63 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.15% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 65 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.15% |
| 66 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.15% |
| 67 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.14% |
| 68 | CV joint worn | 0.14% |
| 69 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.14% |
| 70 | Steering box fault | 0.13% |
| 71 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.13% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.12% |
| 73 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 74 | Brake fluid leak | 0.11% |
| 75 | Steering shaft fault | 0.11% |
| 76 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 77 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.11% |
| 78 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.11% |
| 79 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.10% |
| 80 | Propshaft fault | 0.10% |
| 81 | Horn not working | 0.10% |
| 82 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 83 | Airbag warning light on | 0.09% |
| 84 | Headlamp fault | 0.09% |
| 85 | Steering column fault | 0.09% |
| 86 | Steering drive system fault | 0.09% |
| 87 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.09% |
| 88 | Torque or reaction arm worn | 0.09% |
| 89 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 90 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 91 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 92 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.07% |
| 93 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 94 | Seat belt condition | 0.07% |
| 95 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 96 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 97 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 98 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.06% |
| 99 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 100 | Steering free play excessive | 0.06% |
| 101 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.06% |
| 102 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 103 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.05% |
| 104 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 105 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.05% |
| 106 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.05% |
| 107 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.05% |
| 108 | Speedometer fault | 0.05% |
| 109 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 110 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | 0.04% |
| 111 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 112 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 113 | Steering rack fault | 0.04% |
| 114 | Brake caliper fault | 0.03% |
| 115 | Brake servo fault | 0.03% |
| 116 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 117 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.03% |
| 118 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 119 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 120 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 121 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.03% |
| 122 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 123 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.03% |
| 124 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.03% |
| 125 | Brake valve fault | 0.03% |
| 126 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 127 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 128 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 129 | Suspension air bellows damaged | 0.03% |
| 130 | ABS fault | 0.02% |
| 131 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.02% |
| 132 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 133 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 134 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 135 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 136 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 137 | Access panel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 138 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 139 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 140 | Leaf spring slipper worn | 0.02% |
| 141 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 142 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 143 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 144 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 145 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 146 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.01% |
| 147 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt anchorage fault | 0.01% |
| 149 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.01% |
| 150 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 158 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 163 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 167 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 167 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Brava MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Brava, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Vauxhall Brava problems?
Based on analysis of 63K Vauxhall Brava MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 61 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Brava generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Brava Brava (1991-2002) (1991–2002) has the highest number of identified common problems (82). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Vauxhall Brava?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Brava owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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