Vauxhall Calibra

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1996 2.0 petrol. 31 of 151 tests failed, 21%.

Better than 74% of 1996 cars. The typical one fails 25%, across 162 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• Emissions levels exceed default limits
• A tyre seriously damaged
• Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits

Where it stands out against its peers

• Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 96% of 1996 cars — 29% of its 31 failed tests, where an ordinary 1996 car has 8%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Exhaust and emissions — 45% of its failures
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
• Brakes — 35% of its failures
• Suspension — 35% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
• Tyres and wheels — 29% of its failures
  • A tyre seriously damaged
• Lights and electrics — 29% of its failures
  • A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
• Body and structure — 42% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired