CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL COMBO (1997)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 47 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

79%

Total Tests (2024)

47

Avg Mileage

134,272 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,727

Is the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 27 years old, 79% of VAUXHALL COMBOs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 47 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 134,272 miles.

How does the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO compare?

Rank among all 1997 cars109th out of 320(top 34%)
Rank among all VAUXHALL models611th out of 882(top 69%)
vs national average-3% (82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average+4% (75% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-5% (84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO has 134,272 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a VAUXHALL COMBO?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 65%. The 1997 sits between the two at 79%.

How much does a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Diesel, 1686cc)
£1,037
🏛️Road Tax
£135
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,727
Per month£144/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

VAUXHALL COMBO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202185%2,25644,074 mi
202082%16,65050,243 mi
201984%26,18956,702 mi
201881%5,21068,773 mi
201777%6,62482,586 mi
201675%9,35496,356 mi
201574%9,819102,757 mi
201473%9,086106,793 mi
201372%6,354111,544 mi
201270%5,907115,666 mi
201174%13,518110,613 mi
201072%12,858110,980 mi
200969%8,183121,545 mi
200868%10,804129,928 mi
200768%9,039133,235 mi
200666%6,903128,920 mi
200567%4,689128,941 mi
200465%4,226139,747 mi
200365%3,142138,909 mi
200267%960137,264 mi
200166%180111,186 mi
200067%83110,182 mi
199984%106105,727 mi
199883%81123,220 mi
199779%47134,272 mi
199675%79107,082 mi
199571%49116,969 mi

Checking a specific VAUXHALL COMBO?

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About the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO

The 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO is a family car with a 1686cc diesel engine. 47 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 134,272 miles at 27 years old, VAUXHALL COMBO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 VAUXHALL COMBO Fuel Costs

The 1686cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,727 (£144/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £135 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL COMBO Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL COMBOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO

At 27 years old, the VAUXHALL COMBO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 85%. Note: with only 47 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Alternatives to the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO

If reliability is your priority, there's one similar car with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: