Used car guide

2000 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Vauxhall Agilas, from 216 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 216 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

216MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
3,100typical miles a year
6.6×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Vauxhall Agilas than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.6× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    25% All 2000 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    35.2% All 2000 cars
    16.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Tread depth2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    26.9% All 2000 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    19.9% All 2000 cars
    8.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2000 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    54% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    54% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    45% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Steering
    27% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Vauxhall Agila?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2015207Brakes 25%
20143,428Brakes 31%
20133,434Suspension 34%
20123,903Brakes 40%
20114,117Suspension 47%
20103,633Suspension 49%
20095,178Suspension 55%
20082,749Suspension 58%
2007905Brakes 45%
2006978Brakes 44%
20051,026Brakes 46%
2004950Brakes 46%
20031,079Brakes 48%
2002558Brakes 50%
2001449Brakes 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Vauxhall Agilas registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score