Used car guide

2006 Vauxhall Signum: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Vauxhall Signums, from 322 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 322 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

322MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Vauxhall Signums than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Signum
    23.3% All 2006 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Vauxhall Signum
    15.8% All 2006 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.9% of all 2006 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.

By area

The share of 2006 Vauxhall Signum MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Brakes
    48% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007221Suspension 48%
2005167Suspension 49%
2004108Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Vauxhall Signums registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score