Large family car · 2007–2021 cars

Vauxhall Insignia reliability

The Vauxhall Insignia fails 31% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 707,124 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 48/100#23 of 29 large family cars

Checking a Vauxhall Insignia before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 2% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 707,124; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 11,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Vauxhall Insignia had a first-time MOT fail rate of 31%, compared with 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it is about average, ranking 23 of 29 large family car models. That is not a reason to avoid one, but it is a reason to check carefully. Year matters: 2010 cars had 8% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2016 cars had 21% more.

Tyres are the weakest area, with 17% more fails than comparable cars. When you view one, check the coil springs for fractures or breaks, the most common failure at 6.23% of tests. Then look at tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.59%), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.25%), and whether the wipers clear the windscreen (2.25%). Ask for the MOT history too.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Vauxhall Insignia ages

Each point is the share of Vauxhall Insignias of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Vauxhall InsigniaAll cars

Vauxhall Insignia first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Vauxhall Insignia	All cars
3	18.4%	12.3%
4	18.3%	14.1%
5	21.3%	16.4%
6	25.8%	19.1%
7	29.2%	22.1%
8	31.5%	25.5%
9	32.9%	28.8%
10	34%	31.8%
11	35.5%	34.6%
12	36.5%	37.3%
13	38.1%	39.5%
14	39.4%	41.1%
15	42.5%	42.3%

By year

The best and worst Vauxhall Insignia years

2010 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Vauxhall Insignia MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	458	21.8%	46% more fails	40,469
2020 Insignia	2,627	15.8%	9% more fails	38,130
2019 Insignia	22,749	17.8%	7% more fails	50,845
2018 Insignia	44,522	17.9%	3% more fails	51,496
2017 Insignia	53,842	22.1%	10% more fails	61,654
2016 Insignia	76,906	28.6%	21% more fails	73,186
2015 Insignia	96,418	30.1%	10% more fails	86,473
2014 Insignia	84,968	32.7%	7% more fails	97,533
2013 Insignia	71,497	33.6%	1% more fails	102,488
2012 Insignia	72,362	35%	3% fewer fails	108,506
2011 Insignia	85,306	35.6%	7% fewer fails	108,862
2010 Insignia	54,641	37.1%	8% fewer fails	111,823
2009 Insignia	40,345	39.8%	5% fewer fails	111,556
2008	479	41.5%	1% fewer fails	100,093

Common problems

What fails most on a Vauxhall Insignia

Its weak spot is tyres: 17% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension10.9%12% above avg
Lights and electrics10.4%14% below avg
Tyres8.4%17% above avg
Brakes6.7%4% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.2%8% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%3% above avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%28% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.4%59% below avg
Wheels0.4%8% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.23% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.59% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.25% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.25% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.87% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
6
Registration plate lamp not working 1.69% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.44% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.21% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Insignia's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit18.7%
Brake pads wearing thin9.49%
Engine oil leak, not excessive6.58%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.83%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.67%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.81%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Vauxhall Insignia

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
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 Insignia covers about 11,300 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

Diesel81.5%
Petrol18.5%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, Silver, Grey, White, Blue

Average engine size: 1.9 litres.

Compare

How the Vauxhall Insignia compares with its rivals

Vauxhall Insignia against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Skoda Superb	21.4%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Passat	29.2%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Saab 9-3	37.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Avensis	33.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Mondeo	33.3%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 6	30%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Insignia	31%	about average for its age

Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.

Questions

Vauxhall Insignia questions, answered

Is the Vauxhall Insignia reliable?

On MOT results, the Vauxhall Insignia is about average: it fails 31% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 29 large family car models in our index.

What fails most on a Vauxhall Insignia MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Insignia are coil spring fractured or broken (6.23% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.59% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.25% of tests). By area, suspension fails 10.9% of its tests.

Which Vauxhall Insignia year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (21% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Vauxhall Insignia do a year?

A typical Vauxhall Insignia covers about 11,300 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 Insignia 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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