Used car guide

2008 Vauxhall Antara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Vauxhall Antaras, from 358 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 358 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

358MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,600typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Vauxhall Antaras than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm4.5× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    16.8% All 2008 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    22.1% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    19% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    23.7% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes9.5× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    9.5% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

By area

The share of 2008 Vauxhall Antara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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
    42% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    29% 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.

Looking at a Vauxhall Antara?

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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%
2007213Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Vauxhall Antaras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score