How much does a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,857 (£155/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO?

The 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO has a 79% MOT pass rate based on 47 tests in 2026. This ranks 109 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year VAUXHALL COMBO is most reliable?

The 2021 VAUXHALL COMBO has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 2003 at 65%.

VAUXHALL COMBO (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of VAUXHALL COMBOs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 47 tests. That's 3 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO?

The average mileage for a 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO is 134,272 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 47 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1686cc Diesel

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1857/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1686cc29 years old47 tests134k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1686cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1686cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,857

Per month£155/mo

Per week£36/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

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 29 years old, 79% of VAUXHALL COMBOs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 47 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 134,272 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars109th of 320(top 34%)

Rank among VAUXHALL models611th 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

134,272

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO has 134,272 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

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%.

VAUXHALL COMBO by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	85%	2,256	44,074 mi
2020	82%	16,650	50,243 mi
2019	84%	26,189	56,702 mi
2018	81%	5,210	68,773 mi
2017	77%	6,624	82,586 mi
2016	75%	9,354	96,356 mi
2015	74%	9,819	102,757 mi
2014	73%	9,086	106,793 mi
2013	72%	6,354	111,544 mi
2012	70%	5,907	115,666 mi
2011	74%	13,518	110,613 mi
2010	72%	12,858	110,980 mi
2009	69%	8,183	121,545 mi
2008	68%	10,804	129,928 mi
2007	68%	9,039	133,235 mi
2006	66%	6,903	128,920 mi
2005	67%	4,689	128,941 mi
2004	65%	4,226	139,747 mi
2003	65%	3,142	138,909 mi
2002	67%	960	137,264 mi
2001	66%	180	111,186 mi
2000	67%	83	110,182 mi
1999	84%	106	105,727 mi
1998	83%	81	123,220 mi
1997	79%	47	134,272 mi
1996	75%	79	107,082 mi
1995	71%	49	116,969 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FIAT DUCATO

1999 · 1905cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

-7%

FORD FIESTA

1998 · 1753cc Diesel

£1,927/year

65%

-14%

MERCEDES C

1997 · 2155cc Diesel

£1,900/year

81%

+2%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

1998 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

71%

-8%

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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 2026, 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 29 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 £1,857 (£155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 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 29 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 134k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 VAUXHALL COMBO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VAUXHALL COMBO(1997)	79%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1857
FIAT DUCATO(1999)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130
FORD FIESTA(1998)	65%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1927+£70
MERCEDES C(1997)	81%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£1900+£43
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(1998)	71%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£130

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.