2010 Vauxhall Antara: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.7× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  21.2% All 2010 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust system2.9× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  20% All 2010 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2% of all 2010 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 bushes16.3× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  9.8% All 2010 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Number plate lights2× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  16.8% All 2010 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  14% All 2010 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, 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.

Common 2010 Vauxhall Antara MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  54% 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
  42% 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
  42% 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
  40% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  21% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Vauxhall Antara

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Antara as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Antara as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 16.3× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Antara as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?