Family SUV · 2007–2017 cars
Vauxhall Antara reliability
The Vauxhall Antara fails 42.5% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 76,932 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Antara before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 33% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 76,932
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Antara ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Antaras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Antara | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 30.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 34.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 36.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 39.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 41.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 43.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 44.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 45.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 48.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.3% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Antara years
2007 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Antara | 2,931 | 36.7% | 68% more fails | 58,436 |
| 2015 Antara | 7,409 | 38% | 54% more fails | 64,033 |
| 2014 Antara | 9,478 | 40.1% | 43% more fails | 72,104 |
| 2013 Antara | 24,691 | 42% | 33% more fails | 78,504 |
| 2012 Antara | 21,514 | 44.1% | 30% more fails | 82,854 |
| 2011 Antara | 3,264 | 46.9% | 25% more fails | 92,940 |
| 2010 | 974 | 49% | 24% more fails | 93,112 |
| 2009 Antara | 2,834 | 47.2% | 13% more fails | 100,271 |
| 2008 Antara | 2,288 | 48.1% | 11% more fails | 105,897 |
| 2007 Antara | 1,519 | 47.1% | 7% more fails | 107,090 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Antara
Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 98% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.2%98% above avg
- Suspension13.3%24% above avg
- Brakes11.3%58% above avg
- Tyres7.7%10% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6%90% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.9%25% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.6%3% above avg
- Steering1.7%25% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.1%31% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 8.08% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 6.78% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.87% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Reversing lamp not working 3.49% of tests
A failed reversing lamp makes manoeuvring in the dark harder and is a fault that needs fixing.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.33% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.3% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.82% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.73% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Antara's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.48%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive15.72%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.87%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.52%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.47%
- Shock absorber light oil misting7.24%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Antara
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Reversing lamp not working
A failed reversing lamp makes manoeuvring in the dark harder and is a fault that needs fixing.
- 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 Antara covers about 8,400 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
- Diesel98.5%
- Petrol1.5%
Most common colours
White, Black, Grey, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 2.2 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Antara compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus NX | 9.2% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X4 | 13% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Forester | 29.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 37.4% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Antara | 42.5% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 5008 | 33.1% | 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Antara questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Antara reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Antara is well below average: it fails 42.5% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 57 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Antara MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Antara are position lamp not working (8.08% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.78% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.87% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 25.2% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Antara year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (7% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (68% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Antara do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Antara covers about 8,400 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 Antara 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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