Used car guide · 2008–2017

Vauxhall Insignia A: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Vauxhall Insignia A did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 158,068 MOT tests.

2009best year: 60% pass first time, 2 points above all 2009 cars
2016weakest year: 68% pass first time, 7 points below all 2016 cars
Sub-framethe weak spot that shows up in 7 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Vauxhall Insignia A, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2009: 60% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%) 60% 20092010: 60% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 60% 20102011: 62% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 62% 20112012: 62% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 62% 20122013: 64% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 64% 20132014: 65% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 65% 20142015: 67% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%) 67% 20152016: 68% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%) 68% 20162017: 75% pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%) 75% 2017*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
200960%58% +2Engine oil leaks 2.3× usual6,532
201060%59% +1Engine oil leaks 2× usual9,913
201162%61% +1Engine oil leaks 2.3× usual18,053
201262%63% -1Sub-frame 2.6× usual17,032
201364%66% -2Sub-frame 3.1× usual18,682
201465%69% -4Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.2× usual23,737
201567%72% -5Number plate lights 3× usual27,338
201668%75% -7Coil springs 3× usual21,540
2017*75%78% -3Engine oil leaks 2.6× usual15,241

Weak spots across the Vauxhall Insignia A

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Sub-frameup to 3.3× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Engine oil leaksup to 2.4× usual

    Stands out in 7 years: 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009.

    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 lightsup to 3× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Headlightsup to 2.2× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicatorsup to 3.3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2012, 2011, 2010.

    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.

  • Coil springsup to 3× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2016, 2015, 2014.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Dashboard and lighting electrical faults

    Owners report dashboard displays and interior lights switching off at random.

    Check: On the test drive, watch the dash displays and try every interior and exterior light.

    Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 problems

  • Recalls to check

    Recalls covered the driver's airbag (from November 2010), electric window anti-trap (January 2011), estate tailgate struts (estates built up to March 2015) and steering (some cars built in April 2016).

    Check: Ask a Vauxhall dealer to check the VIN for any recall work still outstanding.

    Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 problems

  • Rear brakes that bind

    Rear brake pads on earlier cars could bind. Vauxhall later redesigned the pads.

    Check: After the test drive, carefully feel near (not on) each rear wheel for one that's much hotter than the others, and listen for rubbing.

    If it needs doing: Brake pads (one axle), about £75–£175. ClickMechanic

    Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 problems

  • Buckled 19- and 20-inch alloys

    The large optional alloy wheels can buckle, causing vibration and a harsher ride.

    Check: Look along each wheel rim for dents and feel for vibration at motorway speed.

    Source: Auto Express: used Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 problems

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

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