Part of the Vauxhall Insignia B (2017–2022) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2020 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Vauxhall Insignias, from 1,298 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,298MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
10,000typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Vauxhall Insignias than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    16% All 2020 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.6% of all 2020 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.

  • Engine warning light3.3× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    2.3% All 2020 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.7% of all 2020 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 2020 Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    20% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% 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
    3% 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
    3% 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
2022618Tyres 39%
2021907Tyres 24%
20197,839Tyres 31%
201812,604Tyres 31%
201715,241Tyres 33%
201621,545Tyres 35%
201527,344Tyres 36%
201423,742Suspension 40%
201318,685Suspension 38%
201217,037Suspension 41%
201118,054Suspension 47%
20109,913Suspension 50%
20096,535Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Vauxhall Insignias registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score