Used car guide

2009 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Vauxhall Insignias, from 6,532 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,532MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    23.9% All 2009 cars
    10.4%
    Rough price £80–£600

    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.

  • Sub-frame2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    17.3% All 2009 cars
    7.7%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Shock absorbers2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    16% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Corroded fuel pipes5.7× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    3.4% All 2009 cars
    0.6%
    Rough price £100–£400

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    5.8% All 2009 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.6% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Ball joint: 1.6% here, against 6.6% of all 2009 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    39% 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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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 Insignia?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20197,838Tyres 31%
201812,602Tyres 31%
201715,241Tyres 33%
201621,540Tyres 35%
201527,338Tyres 36%
201423,737Suspension 40%
201318,682Tyres 38%
201217,032Suspension 41%
201118,053Suspension 47%
20109,913Suspension 50%

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