2019 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Vauxhall Insignia?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Vauxhall Insignia than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Vauxhall Insignia

  17.8% All 2019 cars

  11.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Engine warning light3.7× usual
  Vauxhall Insignia

  3.3% All 2019 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.9% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Engine oil leaks3.1× usual
  Vauxhall Insignia

  2.8% All 2019 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

• Headlight aim1.7× usual
  Vauxhall Insignia

  2.8% All 2019 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.6% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Common 2019 Vauxhall Insignia MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  4% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% 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 2019 Vauxhall Insignia

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

1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Insignia as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Insignia as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2019 Vauxhall Insignia as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?