Used car guide

2008 Vauxhall Vectra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Vauxhall Vectras, from 7,050 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,050MOT tests in 2025

54%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

6,700typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Vauxhall Vectras than on all cars registered in 2008.

Engine oil leaks2× usual

Vauxhall Vectra
25.1% All 2008 cars
12.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Rigid brake pipes2× usual

Vauxhall Vectra
19.6% All 2008 cars
9.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Coil springs1.8× usual

Vauxhall Vectra
21.7% All 2008 cars
12.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 3.9% of all 2008 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.
Exhaust system2× usual

Vauxhall Vectra
18.1% All 2008 cars
9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual

Vauxhall Vectra
8% All 2008 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.6% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars. Track rod ends: 1.4% here, against 5.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

53% 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

46% 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.
Lights and electrics

37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

27% 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

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.

Looking at a Vauxhall Vectra?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2009	1,270	Suspension 53%
2007	6,118	Suspension 52%
2006	3,176	Suspension 52%
2005	1,456	Suspension 57%
2004	897	Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Vauxhall Vectras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score