Used car guide

2005 Vauxhall Tigra: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Vauxhall Tigra first registered in 2005: we looked at the 579 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

579MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Vauxhall Tigra?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Vauxhall Tigra than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    12.3% All 2005 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Tigra
    18% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Headlights: 5.7% here, against 14.2% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Vauxhall Tigra MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% 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
    46% 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
    37% 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
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Vauxhall Tigra

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2005 Vauxhall Tigra as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2005 Vauxhall Tigra as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Tigra?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Vauxhall Tigra compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010–Too few tests
20091,288Suspension 50%
2008987Suspension 50%
20071,078Brakes 49%
20061,127Brakes 49%
2004150Brakes 47%
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Vauxhall Tigra cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score