2002 Vauxhall Vectra: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Vauxhall Vectra than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Steering rack inner joints2.6× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  9% All 2002 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 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.

• Sub-frame2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  9.8% All 2002 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  12.8% All 2002 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.9% of all 2002 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  5.9% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Front strut mounts and bushes3× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  3% All 2002 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2002 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 2002 Vauxhall Vectra MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Vauxhall Vectra 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
  50% 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
  37% 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
  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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  23% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% 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.

Known faults on the 2002 Vauxhall Vectra

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear axle stub recall

  All engines

  Some cars were recalled because a rear axle stub might not meet spec.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

• Oil use (2.0 and 2.2 DTI)

  2.0 and 2.2 DTI diesel

  The older 2.0 and 2.2 DTI diesels use a lot of oil, and running low causes damage.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick and listen for unusual engine noises.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

• Suspension clonks

  All engines

  Clonks from the suspension can be heard on some cars.

  At the viewing: Listen over bumps and pick a car without clonks.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra

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

1. Has the rear axle recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2002 Vauxhall Vectra as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2002 Vauxhall Vectra as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2002 Vauxhall Vectra as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?