Used car guide

2009 Vauxhall Tigra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Vauxhall Tigras, from 1,288 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,288MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,300typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Vauxhall Tigras than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    21.2% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    7% All 2009 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Rear fog light4.2× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    4.6% All 2009 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    5.7% All 2009 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.8% here, against 8.3% of all 2009 cars. Sidelights: 3.6% here, against 7.2% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Vauxhall Tigra 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
    41% 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
    36% 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
    28% 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
    22% 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
    18% 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
2008987Suspension 50%
20071,078Brakes 49%
20061,127Brakes 49%
2005579Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Vauxhall Tigras registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score