Used car guide

2013 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Vauxhall Insignias, from 18,682 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,682MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
9,600typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

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

  • Sub-frame3.1× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    11.6% All 2013 cars
    3.7%
    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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    13% All 2013 cars
    5.8%
    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.

  • Number plate lights2× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    12.1% All 2013 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

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

  • Headlamp2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    7.8% All 2013 cars
    3.7%
    Rough price £40–£400

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Exhaust system1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    8% All 2013 cars
    4.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

Better than most

Track rod end: 0.4% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.2% here, against 4.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% 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
    10% 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
20197,838Tyres 31%
201812,602Tyres 31%
201715,241Tyres 33%
201621,540Tyres 35%
201527,338Tyres 36%
201423,737Suspension 40%
201217,032Suspension 41%
201118,053Suspension 47%
20109,913Suspension 50%
20096,532Suspension 52%

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