Does the Vauxhall Nova fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Vauxhall Nova records 22.67 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 29.47 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−6.80, 95% interval −8.21 to −5.40). It ranks 561 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Vauxhall Nova by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Vauxhall Nova is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 272 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 272 | 4.74 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 112 | 1.95 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 90 | 1.57 |
| Audible warning inoperative | 77 | 1.34 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 77 | 1.34 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,740 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Vauxhall Nova by postcode area · Vauxhall Nova body, chassis and structure failures · Vauxhall Nova brakes failures · Vauxhall Nova noise, emissions and leaks failures · Vauxhall Nova seat belts and airbags failures · Vauxhall Nova steering failures · Vauxhall Nova suspension failures · Vauxhall Nova tyres failures · Vauxhall Nova visibility failures