Vauxhall Omega
Registered from 1995 to 2004.
About this model
The Opel Omega is an executive car engineered and manufactured by German automaker Opel between 1986 and 2003. The first generation, the Omega A (1986–1994), superseded the Opel Rekord. It was voted European Car of the Year for 1987, and was available as a saloon or estate. The second generation, the Omega B, was manufactured from 1994 to 2003.
From the Wikipedia article Opel Omega, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2003 2.2 petrol. 58 of 224 tests failed, 26%.
Better than 63% of 2003 cars. The typical one fails 28%, across 639 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 47% | 27 |
| Brakes | 31% | 18 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 28% | 16 |
| Lights and electrics | 28% | 16 |
| Steering | 21% | 12 |
| Visibility | 16% | 9 |
The defects inspectors cite
- 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
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 47% 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 spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 31% of its failures
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Exhaust and emissions — 28% of its failures
- Steering — 21% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Lights and electrics — 28% of its failures
- Visibility — 16% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 18% of its inspections, against the 29% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60–80k miles | 31% | 25% | 51 | |
| 80–100k miles | 26% | 28% | 62 | |
| 100–120k miles | 18% | 29% | 38 |
151 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.