Used car guide

2005 Vauxhall Tigra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Vauxhall Tigras, from 579 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

579MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Vauxhall Tigras than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    12.3% All 2005 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    18% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

Better than most

Headlights: 5.7% here, against 14.2% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% 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.

  • Suspension
    46% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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
    32% 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
    21% 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
    20% 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.

Looking at a Vauxhall Tigra?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20091,288Suspension 50%
2008987Suspension 50%
20071,078Brakes 49%
20061,127Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Vauxhall Tigras registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score