Used car guide

2009 Vauxhall Antara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Vauxhall Antaras, from 458 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 458 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

458MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Vauxhall Antaras than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Exhaust system2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    20.1% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    20.3% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    14.6% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    16.6% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    17.7% All 2009 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.1% of all 2009 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.

By area

The share of 2009 Vauxhall Antara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • 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
    44% 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
    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
    24% 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
    22% 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%
2008358Suspension 59%
2007213Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Vauxhall Antaras registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score