2010 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Vauxhall Agila?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Vauxhall Agila than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Rigid brake pipes4× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  27.4% All 2010 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.1% of all 2010 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.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  13% All 2010 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Flexible brake hoses2.7× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  6.1% All 2010 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2010 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.

• Wipers2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  7.1% All 2010 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Front strut mounts and bushes5.1× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  4.1% All 2010 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2010 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 2010 Vauxhall Agila MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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
  47% 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
  33% 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
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Vauxhall Agila

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?