1981 Vauxhall Viceroy MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Viceroy models manufactured in 1981, based on 80 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1981 Vauxhall Viceroy MOT Analysis
The 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy has an MOT pass rate of 65.0% based on 80 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 40,907 miles on the odometer. With a 35.0% failure rate, the 1981 Viceroy is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 3.8% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Suspension is the second most common issue at 3.8%. Visibility follows at 2.5%.
Top failures specific to 1981 models only. The overall Viceroy page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.8% | 3 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 3 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 2 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.3% | 1 |
| 7 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.3% | 1 |
| 8 | Tyres | 1.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 40,907 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.92 | 3.8% | 3 |
| Suspension | 0.92 | 3.8% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.61 | 2.5% | 2 |
| Brakes | 0.61 | 2.5% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.31 | 1.3% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.31 | 1.3% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.31 | 1.3% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.31 | 1.3% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy has an MOT pass rate of 65.0% based on 80 tests — around the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 40,907 miles on the odometer. With a 35.0% failure rate, the 1981 Viceroy is rated as "Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With relatively low average mileage of 40,907 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 3.8% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 3.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.8% of MOT failures on 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Visibility — 2.5% of failures
Visibility issues account for 2.5% of MOT failures on 1981 Vauxhall Viceroy models. Visibility failures relate to the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, and view-obstructing damage. Cracks in the windscreen swept area, ineffective wipers, or empty washer bottles are common causes. Typical repair costs: £10–300. Pre-MOT check: Check the windscreen for chips and cracks — damage larger than 10mm in the driver's swept area or 40mm elsewhere will fail. Test washers and wipers. Ensure both door mirrors are intact and adjustable.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.