Used car guide

2001 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Vauxhall Agilas, from 449 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 449 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

449MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
3,200typical miles a year
6.9×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Vauxhall Agilas than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Steering rack inner joints6.9× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    26.3% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 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
    35.9% All 2001 cars
    17%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.4% of all 2001 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.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    10% All 2001 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    8.9% All 2001 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2001 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    51% 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
    47% 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
    39% 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.

  • Steering
    29% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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.

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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%
2000216Brakes 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Vauxhall Agilas registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score