Used car guide

2012 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Vauxhall Agilas, from 3,903 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,903MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,400typical miles a year
4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Vauxhall Agilas than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes4× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    21.9% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.4× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    10.1% All 2012 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    10.7% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes6.7× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    4% All 2012 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

  • Wipers2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Agila
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.4% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Track rod ends: 0.9% here, against 4.9% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20143,428Brakes 31%
20133,434Brakes 34%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Vauxhall Agilas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score