2004 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Vauxhall Agila?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  32.7% All 2004 cars

  17.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 3% of all 2004 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.

• Steering rack inner joints4.2× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  15.4% All 2004 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 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.

• Suspension arm2.3× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  7.9% All 2004 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Wheels2.5× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  3.7% All 2004 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Front strut mounts and bushes3.1× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  2.5% All 2004 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Common 2004 Vauxhall Agila MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  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.

• Steering
  17% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% 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.

Known faults on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Early clutch wear

  All engines

  Clutches can wear out as early as 50,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Check the clutch bites cleanly and doesn't slip.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Agila (2000-2008) reliability

• Central locking and suspension clonks

  All engines

  Central locking is prone to failure, and suspension clonks are common (usually new bushes or grease).

  At the viewing: Test the locking and listen over bumps.

  Source: What Car?: used Vauxhall Agila (2000-2008) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Vauxhall Agila

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the clutch been replaced?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2004 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?