Vauxhall Ampera (2012)
2012 Vauxhall Ampera
CarHunch analysed 443 real MOT records for the 2012 Vauxhall Ampera.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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Moderate sample. 443 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
The 2012 Ampera's first-time pass rate of 81.7% sits just above the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly average reliability—but nearly half of these cars (43.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant buyer concern. Both the electric and hybrid variants perform nearly identically, with pass rates around 81%, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
At 74,769 miles median, these seven-year-old cars have covered typical mileage for their age, yet they're picking up an average of 2.48 failures per test and 14.9 advisories each, pointing to niggling wear and electrical gremlins rather than major structural problems. Before buying, get a full MOT history check and specifically ask the seller about any previous dangerous defect notices—this figure is well above normal and warrants extra scrutiny.
The 2012 Vauxhall Ampera has a decent first-time pass rate (81.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 443 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 443 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 443 Vauxhall Ampera cars.
Before you buy a 2012 Vauxhall Ampera
Based on MOT data from 443 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
43.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (52%) | 229 | 81.6% | 2.52 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (41%) | 183 | 81.4% | 2.47 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 1,300 Vauxhall Ampera vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Vauxhall Ampera vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2012 Vauxhall Ampera vehicles fall between 55,391 and 89,927 miles.
2012 Vauxhall Ampera — Still on the Road
Most 2012 Vauxhall Amperas are still being driven.
Strong survival — 357 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
Or browse all models: Vauxhall →
Compare with another model
See how the 2012 Vauxhall Ampera stacks up against a rival.