2015 Vauxhall Agila: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Vauxhall Agila?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Vauxhall Agila than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Rigid brake pipes3.8× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  7.6% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

• Wipers2.6× usual
  Vauxhall Agila

  6.8% All 2015 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.7% of all 2015 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.

Common 2015 Vauxhall Agila MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Vauxhall Agila MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  25% 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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
  17% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% 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
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 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 3.8× as often on the 2015 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2015 Vauxhall Agila as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?