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Vauxhall Insignia reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 1.8 million MOT tests of cars first registered 2009–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
69.9%pass first time
+0.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 55%of cars
1.8MMOT tests

Verdict

The Vauxhall Insignia passes its MOT first time on 69.9% of tests, 0.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.2%). That puts it ahead of 55% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 Insignia does best (beats 66% of cars) and the 2016 worst (beats 24%).

Of its engines, the 1.5 Petrol does best (beats 61%) and the 1.6 Diesel worst (beats 31%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, body & structure, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Coil springs2.3×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.5×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.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161782%77%71%67%65%63%60%57%
Vauxhall InsigniaTypical 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.

2009
Beats 66%
2010
Beats 66%
2011
Beats 62%
2012
Beats 57%
2013
Beats 57%
2014
Beats 50%
2015
Beats 41%
2016
Beats 24%
2017
Beats 38%
2018
Beats 50%
2019
Beats 51%
2020
Beats 39%
2021
Beats 37%
2022
Beats 3%

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
2.0 Diesel2009–20191,305,58368.7%Beats 57%C
1.6 Diesel2015–2020212,39574.7%Beats 31%D
1.8 Petrol2009–2016196,86566.4%Beats 53%C
1.5 Petrol2017–202068,68883.7%Beats 61%B
1.4 Petrol2012–201726,45975.9%Beats 40%C
2.0 Petrol2009–201210,64969.1%Beats 75%B
1.5 Diesel2020–20224,29481.2%Beats 14%E
2.8 Petrol2009–20113,94977.7%Beats 97%A

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: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.9% 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: 9.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 8.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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: 6.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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+2.9 ptsTyres: 8.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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−0.9 ptsBrakes: 6.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% 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+0.3 ptsSuspension: 9.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% 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−0.7 ptsExhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.9% 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+0.1 ptsSuspension: 9.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% 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: 6.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% 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: 8.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.9% 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: 9.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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+2.9 ptsTyres: 8.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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−0.9 ptsBrakes: 6.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% 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+0.3 ptsSuspension: 9.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% 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−0.7 ptsExhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.9% 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+0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.4% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Suspension
9.9% vs 9.3%
Lights & electrics
9.7% vs 12.6%
Tyres
8.3% vs 7.4%
Brakes
6.6% vs 6.9%
Visibility
4.6% vs 4.8%
Emissions & leaks
2.8% vs 2.9%
Body & structure
1.9% vs 2.9%
Steering
0.4% vs 1.8%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.8%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 2.3× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Brake pads 1.5× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%84%78%73%68%65%64%63%
Vauxhall InsigniaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs6.3%2.7%2.3×
Tyre tread depth4.1%3.3%1.3×
Brake pads3.8%2.6%1.5×
Tyre damage & cracking3.7%3.8%1.0×
Headlight aim3.1%3.3%0.9×
Windscreen wipers2.8%2.1%1.3×
Headlight bulbs & units2.3%2.3%1.0×
Number plate lights2.1%1.8%1.1×
Windscreen washers1.4%2.2%0.6×
Sidelights1.2%3.1%0.4×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened62.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements41.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm35.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements31.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen27.7
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED20.3
A tyre seriously damaged19.9
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps17.9
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.

2022 Vauxhall Insignia1 engine78.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Diesel1,11378.5%Beats 3%E
2021 Vauxhall Insignia1 engine83.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Diesel1,95383.5%Beats 37%D
2020 Vauxhall Insignia3 engines83.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol1,83985.4%Beats 40%C
1.6 Diesel1,61983.3%Beats 65%B
1.5 Diesel1,22879.8%Beats 9%E
2019 Vauxhall Insignia3 engines81.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol22,90382.1%Beats 56%C
1.6 Diesel8,54180.3%Beats 51%C
2.0 Diesel7,48179.9%Beats 39%D
2018 Vauxhall Insignia3 engines80.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel26,38880.0%Beats 59%C
1.5 Petrol25,93884.9%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel21,70077.3%Beats 27%D
2017 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines77.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel43,45976.6%Beats 39%D
2.0 Diesel39,77977.0%Beats 29%D
1.5 Petrol18,00884.0%Beats 65%B
1.4 Petrol3,75074.5%Beats 16%E
2016 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines73.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel95,12672.6%Beats 22%D
2.0 Diesel67,19573.4%Beats 25%D
1.4 Petrol11,12676.3%Beats 22%D
1.8 Petrol3,23479.9%Beats 60%B
2015 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines73.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel204,18572.8%Beats 42%C
1.6 Diesel37,26272.5%Beats 29%D
1.8 Petrol12,16578.4%Beats 59%C
1.4 Petrol3,92179.2%Beats 54%C
2014 Vauxhall Insignia3 engines70.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel207,14870.6%Beats 50%C
1.8 Petrol17,18772.3%Beats 38%D
1.4 Petrol3,47777.1%Beats 65%B
2013 Vauxhall Insignia3 engines69.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel168,94168.6%Beats 57%C
1.8 Petrol24,04471.1%Beats 55%C
1.4 Petrol1,43676.3%Beats 75%B
2012 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines66.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel176,19866.1%Beats 58%C
1.8 Petrol19,58268.4%Beats 53%C
1.4 Petrol2,74969.4%Beats 59%C
2.0 Petrol1,08967.2%Beats 54%C
2011 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines65.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel200,82365.7%Beats 64%B
1.8 Petrol41,66165.0%Beats 51%C
2.0 Petrol2,39071.4%Beats 76%B
2.8 Petrol1,13176.5%Beats 91%A
2010 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines64.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel130,80964.4%Beats 68%B
1.8 Petrol32,57363.0%Beats 54%C
2.0 Petrol2,16370.1%Beats 79%B
2.8 Petrol1,60177.9%Beats 97%A
2009 Vauxhall Insignia4 engines62.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel81,32463.0%Beats 70%B
1.8 Petrol46,41960.5%Beats 56%C
2.0 Petrol5,00767.9%Beats 78%B
2.8 Petrol1,21778.6%Beats 99%A

FAQ

What is the Vauxhall Insignia MOT pass rate?

69.9% of MOT tests on the Vauxhall Insignia were passed first time, based on 1,828,882 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2009–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.2% of the time.

Is the Vauxhall Insignia reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 55% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Vauxhall Insignia year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 Insignia does best for its age and mileage: it beats 66% of cars on UK roads. The 2016 does worst: it beats 24%.

Which Vauxhall Insignia engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.5 Petrol does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Diesel does worst: it beats 31%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.3× 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.