Used buying checklist
Vauxhall Crossland reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Vauxhall Crossland looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 10.7% of 39,215 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 10.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 28,758 miles
- 4,189 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include items removed from drivers view prior to test, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- leaking excessively from engine
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
- emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
- Nail in tyre
- effort inadequate at a wheel
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels
The model's recorded failure rate is 10.7%, -8.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed39,215 tests
- Median tested mileage28,758 miles
- Failed MOT tests4,189
Should you buy a used Vauxhall Crossland?
89.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 10.7%, -8.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "Items removed from drivers view prior to test"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and tyres and wheels, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Crossland, MOT records most often point to emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.8% at 0-3 years to 14.8% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, emissions, engine, and exhaust, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Crossland, MOT records most often point to emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Vauxhall Crossland mainly involve 4 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, corrosion and structure, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Crossland, MOT records most often point to emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 35,207 | 30,401 | 10.3%-0.5 percentage points vs all models | 26,981 miles |
| 50-100k | 3,776 | 3,118 | 14.7%-6.0 percentage points vs all models | 58,063 miles |
| 100-150k | 66 | 53 | 21.2%-5.0 percentage points vs all models | 108,701 miles |
| 150-200k | 1 | 1 | 0.0%-27.3 percentage points vs all models | 161,008 miles |
| 200k+ | 1 | 1 | 0.0%-26.6 percentage points vs all models | 200,093 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Crossland, MOT records most often point to emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.8% at 0-3 years to 14.8% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 14.8% for 6-10 years cars, based on 655 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
4,748 | 4,195 | 10.8%+2.4 percentage points vs all models | 2.9 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
33,812 | 28,897 | 10.6%-0.0 percentage points vs all models | 4.5 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
655 | 557 | 14.8%-1.8 percentage points vs all models | 6.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-08-18 | Emission recall – On Board Diagnostics Vehicles may be affected by incorrect performance of the On-Board-Diagnostics related to Selective Catalytic Reduction system and/or Diesel Particle Filter. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may not illuminate in the event of a malfunction and therefore does not comply with emission regulations. Update the Engine Control Unit software to ensure compliance to regulations. |
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| 2025-07-03 | Vauxhall DV5R Engines Camshaft Chain. Vehicles may be affected by premature wearing of the camshaft drive chain leading to abnormal noise or to a breakage of the chain in the worst case. Update the software to improve oil pressure and reduce wear. Check the engine noise and replace the chain if required. If no problem found change the oil to one with higher viscosity and special anti-wear additives. |
| 2024-03-13 | Cross carline Engine software On affected vehicles below 12500 miles under certain conditions engine emissions may lead to a non-compliance to regulatory requirements. Check the mileage of the vehicle and update the ECU (Engine Control Unit) calibration on vehicles below 12500 miles. |
| 2023-07-21 | Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a rear axle crossmember that was not manufactured according to specifications. Affected vehicles may have been fitted with a rear axle crossmember that was not manufactured according to specifications. Check and replace the rear axle crossmember if necessary. |
| 2022-05-17 | THE PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING CHIME MIGHT BE INOPERATIVE The passenger seatbelt warning chime might be inoperative. Reprogram the Body Control Module software. |
| 2018-01-03 | THE ENGINE PISTONS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION The engine pistons may not be according to specification leading to oil entry in the inlet circuit. In a worst case this may cause an increased engine rpm for a few seconds possibly resulting in a total engine failure. Perform a test of the engine to establish if the pistons are to specification. Where necessary the engine will be replaced. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Vauxhall Crossland. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Vauxhall reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.