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Vauxhall Antara reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 193,784 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2016.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
60.2%pass first time
−9.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 10%of cars
193,784MOT tests

Verdict

The Vauxhall Antara passes its MOT first time on 60.2% of tests, 9.2 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.4%). That puts it ahead of 10% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 Antara does best (beats 11% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 5%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 20%) and the 2.2 Diesel worst (beats 7%).

Better than average on steering.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics2.0×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Sidelights2.9×as often as a typical car
Brake lights3.1×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%34567891011121314151684%71%64%59%55%52%52%
Vauxhall AntaraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2007
Beats 37%
2008
Beats 34%
2009
Beats 26%
2010
Beats 17%
2011
Beats 15%
2012
Beats 11%
2013
Beats 8%
2014
Beats 5%
2015
Beats 3%
2016
Beats 2%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel2011–2016144,74561.7%Beats 7%E
2.0 Diesel2007–201247,85355.7%Beats 20%D
2.4 Petrol2012–20121,18658.1%Beats 9%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 23.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 23.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−11.7 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 9.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−3.3 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.5 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.3 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 23.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 23.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−11.7 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 9.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−3.3 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.5 ptsExhaust: 5.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.3 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 23.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
23.9% vs 12.2%
Suspension
10.9% vs 9.4%
Brakes
9.9% vs 6.6%
Tyres
7.1% vs 6.9%
Visibility
5.9% vs 4.8%
Emissions & leaks
5.0% vs 2.6%
Body & structure
2.8% vs 2.9%
Steering
1.4% vs 1.8%
Seat belts & airbags
1.0% vs 0.8%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights 2.9× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Suspension arm bushes 2.9× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Handbrake performance 2.1× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.6× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads 1.4× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k88%73%63%56%53%51%50%50%
Vauxhall AntaraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights8.5%2.9%2.9×
Brake lights7.2%2.3%3.1×
Reversing lights3.7%0.2%21.3×
Tyre tread depth3.7%2.9%1.3×
Number plate lights3.6%1.5%2.4×
Suspension arm bushes3.5%1.2%2.9×
Headlight bulbs & units3.4%2.2%1.6×
Headlight aim3.4%3.2%1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking3.4%3.7%0.9×
Brake pads3.3%2.3%1.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning73.6
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning68.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn53.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements36.8
A reversing lamp inoperative36.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements34.1
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED32.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm31.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2016 Vauxhall Antara1 engine67.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel6,53267.5%Beats 2%E
2015 Vauxhall Antara1 engine66.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel18,49566.9%Beats 3%E
2014 Vauxhall Antara1 engine63.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel23,28363.4%Beats 5%E
2013 Vauxhall Antara1 engine60.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel61,35360.5%Beats 8%E
2012 Vauxhall Antara3 engines58.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel32,96859.0%Beats 11%E
2.0 Diesel20,28758.5%Beats 12%E
2.4 Petrol1,18658.1%Beats 9%E
2011 Vauxhall Antara2 engines55.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,40856.6%Beats 17%E
2.2 Diesel2,11453.7%Beats 11%E
2010 Vauxhall Antara1 engine52.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,57052.9%Beats 17%E
2009 Vauxhall Antara1 engine52.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel7,86952.9%Beats 26%D
2008 Vauxhall Antara1 engine52.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,90852.9%Beats 34%D
2007 Vauxhall Antara1 engine52.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,81152.6%Beats 37%D

FAQ

What is the Vauxhall Antara MOT pass rate?

60.2% of MOT tests on the Vauxhall Antara were passed first time, based on 193,784 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2016. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.4% of the time.

Is the Vauxhall Antara reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 10% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Vauxhall Antara year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 Antara does best for its age and mileage: it beats 11% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 5%.

Which Vauxhall Antara engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 20% of cars on UK roads. The 2.2 Diesel does worst: it beats 7%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Vauxhall Antara?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake lights, reversing lights. Compared with similar cars, sidelights comes up 2.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.