Vauxhall Frontera

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 12 model years from 1,818 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

74%

Total Tests

1,818

Highest Pass Rate

1998 (80%)

Years Covered

About the Vauxhall Frontera

The Vauxhall Frontera was MOT tested 1,818 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 12 model years (1993 to 2004), with an average pass rate of 74%. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 80% from 239 tests. The 2000 model has the lowest at 55%. With a 25 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Fronteras tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1993) averages 129,619 miles, while the newest (2004) averages 90,709 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Vauxhall brand average of 84%, the Frontera is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Vauxhall models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2198cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,958

Per month£247/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2004 details

How reliable is the Vauxhall Frontera?

vs average of all models-8% (82% avg)

vs Vauxhall brand average-10% (84% avg)

Best to worst year spread25 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

Vauxhall Frontera by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	73%	126	90,709 mi
2003	73%	278	106,951 mi
2002	76%	145	103,989 mi
2001	73%	75	83,125 mi
2000	55%	131	92,288 mi
1999	77%	191	91,796 mi
1998	80%	239	106,106 mi
1997	72%	149	93,235 mi
1996	78%	157	127,832 mi
1995	68%	151	128,815 mi
1994	75%	110	105,500 mi
1993	82%	66	129,619 mi

Questions about the Vauxhall Frontera

Is the Vauxhall Frontera reliable?

Across its 12 model years in our data (1993 to 2004), the Vauxhall Frontera averages a 74% MOT pass rate, from 1,818 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1998 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 80%.

Which year Vauxhall Frontera has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Vauxhall Frontera has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 55%, a 25 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.