Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di reliable?

Based on MOT data from 535 vehicles, the 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di has a first-time MOT pass rate of 71.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di (2003)

535 real MOT outcomes analysed • 71.5% first-time pass rate

2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di

CarHunch analysed 535 real MOT records for the 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 DI is a reliability concern: just 17.6% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning four out of five tests end in failure. The diesel engine itself isn't the issue—it posts a near-identical 17.3% pass rate—so the problem lies elsewhere in the van's systems.

With a median mileage of 135,000 miles for a 21-year-old vehicle, these examples are typically high-mileage commercial users, and that heavy work history catches up during MOT. Most failures are minor (0.25 per vehicle on average) and no dangerous defects are recorded, suggesting you're looking at routine wear items rather than structural rot. Before buying one, budget for immediate repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, exhaust, and brakes—the usual suspects on tired diesel vans.

The 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di has a below-average first-time pass rate (71.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

First-time pass

71.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.25

Over 1.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

135k

Middle half: 113k–165k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

These stats describe 535 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 535 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di

Based on MOT data from 535 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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.
🔍 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	532	71.5%	0.24

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,194 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 63.7%

760

Red 32.4%

387

Silver 2%

Blue 1.3%

Yellow 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di 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.

135,422

typical

112,586

low mileage

165,497

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di vehicles fall between 112,586 and 165,497 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 112,586 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 112,586–165,497 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Dis sit.

⚠ Over 223,420 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 9% of 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1700 Dis are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

1.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.25

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Vauxhall Combo 1700 Di: All Combo 1700 Di years → Which year to buy? →

2002 2004

Or browse all models: Vauxhall →

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Buyer beware — pass it on