City car · 2000–2016 cars
Vauxhall Agila reliability
The Vauxhall Agila fails 37.4% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 122,339 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Agila before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 37.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 122,339
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Agila ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Agilas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Agila | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 18.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 31% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 38.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 43.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 44.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 40.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 41% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 41.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 43.5% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 44.3% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 44.6% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 43.8% | 38.9% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Agila years
2005 cars come out best and 2008 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 714 | 17.6% | 8% fewer fails | 36,247 |
| 2014 Agila | 11,504 | 23.6% | 12% more fails | 38,976 |
| 2013 Agila | 11,439 | 28.2% | 17% more fails | 44,003 |
| 2012 Agila | 13,195 | 32% | 18% more fails | 49,793 |
| 2011 Agila | 14,293 | 37.7% | 25% more fails | 55,567 |
| 2010 Agila | 12,849 | 39.5% | 24% more fails | 57,432 |
| 2009 Agila | 19,030 | 43.4% | 25% more fails | 62,245 |
| 2008 Agila | 10,453 | 45.9% | 27% more fails | 65,433 |
| 2007 Agila | 3,786 | 38.8% | 4% more fails | 65,788 |
| 2006 Agila | 4,256 | 39.3% | 3% more fails | 68,194 |
| 2005 Agila | 4,615 | 40.1% | 3% more fails | 69,873 |
| 2004 Agila | 4,632 | 41.4% | 6% more fails | 71,069 |
| 2003 Agila | 5,115 | 42.9% | 8% more fails | 74,146 |
| 2002 Agila | 2,787 | 44.8% | 13% more fails | 77,159 |
| 2001 Agila | 2,496 | 45.4% | 17% more fails | 76,506 |
| 2000 Agila | 1,172 | 42.1% | 11% more fails | 76,643 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Agila
Its weak spot is brakes: 67% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.4%61% above avg
- Brakes12.5%67% above avg
- Lights and electrics11.8%10% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7%31% above avg
- Tyres5.9%4% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.5%18% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%25% below avg
- Steering1.3%35% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.8%31% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.77% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.67% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.98% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.25% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Position lamp not working 2.49% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Service brake excessively binding 2.46% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 2.3% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.2% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Agila's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy18.59%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.18%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.95%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.17%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.18%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive3.93%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Agila
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Vauxhall Agila covers about 4,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol98.3%
- Diesel1.7%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Blue, Silver, Black, Red, Green
Average engine size: 1.2 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Agila compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Citigo | 18.8% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Viva | 15.6% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Agila | 37.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Alto | 33.4% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Fox | 47.2% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Agila questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Agila reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Agila is below average: it fails 37.4% of first MOT tests, 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 25 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Agila MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Agila are suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.77% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.67% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.98% of tests). By area, suspension fails 17.4% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Agila year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (3% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (27% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Agila do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Agila covers about 4,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Vauxhall Agila before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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