Used car guide

2013 Vauxhall Antara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Vauxhall Antaras, from 6,131 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,131MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,300typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Vauxhall Antaras than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Engine oil leaks4.3× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    24.8% All 2013 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Number plate lights2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    15.6% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    17.8% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.

  • Suspension arm5× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    9.9% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

  • Sidelights2.9× usual
    Vauxhall Antara
    11.5% All 2013 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.7%, against 3.5% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Vauxhall Antara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    34% 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
    26% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016791Lights and electrics 38%
20152,026Suspension 43%
20142,478Suspension 45%
20125,116Suspension 49%
2011697Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Vauxhall Antaras registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score