Vauxhall Combo
Registered from 1995 to 2026.
About this model
The Opel Combo is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle from the German automaker Opel. The Combo first appeared in 1993, a second generation model was introduced in 2001, and the third was manufactured from December 2011 to December 2017, based on the Fiat Doblò. The name "Combo" was previously applied as a suffix to a three-door panel van body style of Opel Kadett E from 1986 until 1993.
From the Wikipedia article Opel Combo, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 1.5 diesel. 2,749 of 14,727 tests failed, 19%.
Better than 1% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 39% | 1,075 |
| Visibility | 38% | 1,036 |
| Lights and electrics | 28% | 768 |
| Tyres and wheels | 27% | 736 |
| Body and structure | 7% | 184 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6% | 156 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Brakes: failed more often than 94% of 2020 cars — 39% of its 2,749 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 16%.
- Visibility: failed more often than 92% of 2020 cars — 38% of its 2,749 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 14%.
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.
- Brakes — 39% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyres and wheels — 27% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 6% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 28% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Visibility — 38% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 7% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 22% of its inspections, against the 16% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 8% | 5% | 1,967 | |
| 20–40k miles | 18% | 10% | 5,549 | |
| 40–60k miles | 22% | 13% | 4,954 | |
| 60–80k miles | 23% | 14% | 1,668 | |
| 80–100k miles | 23% | 16% | 436 | |
| 100–120k miles | 22% | 16% | 87 |
14,661 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.5 diesel · 103 hp · 1615 kg · 2975 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1.5 diesel · 114 hp · 1540 kg · 2855 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.5 diesel · 1550 kg · 2852 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.2 petrol · 1477 kg · 2808 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.6 diesel · 108 hp · 1527 kg · 2805 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.4 petrol · 102 hp · 1472 kg · 2730 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.4 petrol · 100 hp · 1518 kg · 2755 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.4 petrol · 99 hp · 1498 kg · 2755 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.4 petrol · 95 hp · 1463 kg · 2755 mm wheelbase · 7.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 diesel · 96 hp · 1516 kg · 2755 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 diesel · 97 hp · 1515 kg · 2750 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00056/22
This passenger car is exposed to fuel leak from the auxiliary heating. Consequently, leaking fuel may come into contact with hot parts of the engine, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01734/23
The maximum load on the factory fitted tyres is lower than the maximum permitted weight on the rear axle. Overloading the tyres can damage them and impede the road grip, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01877/23
A software error in the engine control unit prevents the malfunction indicator light (MIL) from switching on if the urea injector stops working. This can lead to higher emissions and poses a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03141/23
Due to an error in the specific calibration software of the electronic engine control unit (ECU), an incorrect value may be given when the data are processed by the vehicle. This may result in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions above the regulatory limits. Excessive NOx emissions pose a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03180/24
When there is a specific error in the vacuum circuit and after 6 seconds with the brake applied, the electronic control unit send an "Invalid Value" to the hydraulic brake compensation (HBC). This can cause the HBC to stop functioning, leading to a reduction in braking efficiency. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1951/19
The front passenger seat belt may not be correctly installed during production. As a result, the seat belt may not retain the passenger sufficiently in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of an injury.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00365/26
Vehicles fitted with a DV5R engine may experience a fuel leak. The non-conformity of the round shape on the cone of the common rail may cause the nut to loosen, resulting in the possibility of fuel leaking between the nut and the thread, leading to fuel vapours and fuel flow into the hot exhaust system. This may lead to a fire under the bonnet. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/01050/26
The DV5R engine may experience a loss of power due to slippage of the water pump pulley. This slippage can cause misalignment of the timing belt, potentially resulting in engine shutdown. The sprocket of the water pump pulley may detach from the shaft, which can lead to the loss of parts on the road and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
5 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.