Used car guide

2007 Vauxhall Antara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Vauxhall Antaras, from 213 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 213 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

213MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Vauxhall Antaras than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    22.5% All 2007 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Brake pads2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    17.4% All 2007 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    15.5% All 2007 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2007 Vauxhall Antara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    47% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    37% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016791Suspension 38%
20152,026Suspension 43%
20142,478Suspension 45%
20136,131Suspension 44%
20125,116Suspension 49%
2011697Suspension 55%
2010215Suspension 58%
2009458Suspension 54%
2008358Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Vauxhall Antaras registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score