Used car guide

2018 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Vauxhall Insignias, from 12,602 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,602MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
9,900typical miles a year
1.5×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Vauxhall Insignias than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake pads1.5× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    16.8% All 2018 cars
    11%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Engine warning light2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    3.1% All 2018 cars
    1.1%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    1.4%
    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.

  • Headlamp aim1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    2.9% All 2018 cars
    1.7%
    Rough price £20–£60

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

By area

The share of 2018 Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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
    23% 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
    7% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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.

  • Suspension
    5% 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.

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%
201715,241Tyres 33%
201621,540Tyres 35%
201527,338Tyres 36%
201423,737Suspension 40%
201318,682Tyres 38%
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 2018 Vauxhall Insignias registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score