Small car · 1996–2011 cars
Vauxhall Tigra reliability
The Vauxhall Tigra fails 48.1% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 27,625 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Vauxhall Tigra before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 48.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 27,625
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Vauxhall Tigra ages
Each point is the share of Vauxhall Tigras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Vauxhall Tigra | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 45.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 47.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 48.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 47.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 50.1% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 48.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 47.7% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 47.9% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Vauxhall Tigra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Tigra | 5,910 | 46.3% | 27% more fails | 66,789 |
| 2008 Tigra | 4,691 | 48.7% | 28% more fails | 71,344 |
| 2007 Tigra | 5,673 | 49% | 25% more fails | 75,334 |
| 2006 Tigra | 6,216 | 49.5% | 22% more fails | 79,723 |
| 2005 Tigra | 3,580 | 47.9% | 17% more fails | 81,292 |
| 2004 | 901 | 49.5% | 17% more fails | 84,967 |
| 2000 | 201 | 40.8% | 21% more fails | 57,169 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Vauxhall Tigra
Its weak spot is steering: 112% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes19.9%96% above avg
- Suspension19.4%35% above avg
- Lights and electrics18.3%3% above avg
- Tyres10%55% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure9.5%46% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9%36% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%24% above avg
- Steering5.9%112% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.6%25% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 6.99% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.31% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 4.09% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.79% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.39% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.38% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Position lamp not working 3.25% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.77% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Vauxhall Tigra's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.83%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak13.74%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.41%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy12.34%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive12.09%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.33%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Vauxhall Tigra
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 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
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 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 Tigra covers about 5,300 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
- Petrol98.2%
- Diesel1.8%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, Silver, Red, Green
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Vauxhall Tigra compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A2 | 43.5% | about average for its age |
| Fiat Grande Punto | 45% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Wagon-R+ | 44.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 48.1% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Baleno | 23.3% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Picasso | 27.8% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 50.6% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Vauxhall models.
Questions
Vauxhall Tigra questions, answered
Is the Vauxhall Tigra reliable?
On MOT results, the Vauxhall Tigra is below average: it fails 48.1% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 43 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Vauxhall Tigra MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Tigra are parking brake efficiency below minimum (6.99% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.31% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (4.09% of tests). By area, brakes fails 19.9% of its tests.
Which Vauxhall Tigra year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (17% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (28% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Vauxhall Tigra do a year?
A typical Vauxhall Tigra covers about 5,300 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 Tigra 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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