At a Glance
The Vauxhall Calibra has 57 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Calibra (1989-1998) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 78K 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 Calibra 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 Calibra 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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Most Common Vauxhall Calibra MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Calibra 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 | 25.07% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.88% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.48% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.95% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.73% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.87% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 2.82% |
| 8 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.66% |
| 9 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.44% |
| 10 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.36% |
| 11 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.25% |
| 12 | Tyre condition | 2.21% |
| 13 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.94% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.92% |
| 15 | Chassis condition | 1.91% |
| 16 | Front lamp not working | 1.76% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 1.69% |
| 18 | Driveshaft fault | 1.67% |
| 19 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.63% |
| 20 | Front suspension fault | 1.44% |
| 21 | Stop lamp not working | 1.21% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 1.07% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.98% |
| 24 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.70% |
| 25 | Track rod end worn | 0.67% |
| 26 | Rear suspension fault | 0.63% |
| 27 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.61% |
| 28 | Rear lamp not working | 0.57% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.57% |
| 30 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.56% |
| 31 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.52% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.52% |
| 33 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.49% |
| 34 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.43% |
| 35 | Brake pedal fault | 0.40% |
| 36 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.38% |
| 37 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.37% |
| 38 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.36% |
| 39 | Steering lock fault | 0.35% |
| 40 | Position lamp not working | 0.35% |
| 41 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.33% |
| 42 | Headlamp fault | 0.33% |
| 43 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.31% |
| 44 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.31% |
| 45 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.30% |
| 46 | Fog lamp not working | 0.30% |
| 47 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.30% |
| 48 | Steering column fault | 0.29% |
| 49 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.24% |
| 50 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 51 | Brake caliper fault | 0.23% |
| 52 | Horn not working | 0.21% |
| 53 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.20% |
| 54 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.20% |
| 55 | Steering operation fault | 0.19% |
| 56 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.19% |
| 57 | Seat belt condition | 0.18% |
| 58 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.16% |
| 59 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.15% |
| 60 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.15% |
| 61 | Airbag warning light on | 0.15% |
| 62 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.15% |
| 63 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.15% |
| 64 | Power steering pump fault | 0.14% |
| 65 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.14% |
| 66 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 67 | Steering arm worn | 0.11% |
| 68 | CV joint worn | 0.11% |
| 69 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 71 | Steering free play excessive | 0.10% |
| 72 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.09% |
| 73 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 74 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 75 | Brake fluid leak | 0.09% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 77 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.08% |
| 78 | Power steering ram fault | 0.08% |
| 79 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 80 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 81 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 82 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 83 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.07% |
| 84 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 85 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.06% |
| 86 | Steering drive system fault | 0.05% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 88 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.05% |
| 89 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.05% |
| 90 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 91 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 92 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.04% |
| 93 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.04% |
| 94 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.04% |
| 95 | Additional braking device fault | 0.04% |
| 96 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 97 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 98 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 99 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 100 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 101 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 102 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 103 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 104 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 105 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 106 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.03% |
| 108 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 109 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | 0.02% |
| 110 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 111 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 112 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 113 | Brake stationary pin worn | 0.02% |
| 114 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | 0.02% |
| 116 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 117 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 118 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 119 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Semaphore indicator fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 123 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 124 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 125 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 126 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.01% |
| 128 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 129 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 130 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 134 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 150 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Calibra MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Calibra, 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 Calibra problems?
Based on analysis of 78K Vauxhall Calibra MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 57 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Calibra generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Calibra Calibra (1989-1998) (1989–1998) has the highest number of identified common problems (73). 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 Calibra?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Calibra owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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