Vauxhall Insignia: what fails at MOT
268,000 MOT tests on the Vauxhall Insignia in 2024, counted. 30.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.4% of Vauxhall Insignia tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.1%, so the Insignia does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.4% of tests), suspension (7.3% of tests) and tyres (5.8% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,571 | 17.4% | 10.9% | 35,200 24,000 to 52,500 |
| 2020 | 2,340 | 16.0% | 11.5% | 38,400 26,400 to 55,100 |
| 2019 | 11,642 | 17.7% | 13.4% | 55,800 42,800 to 70,300 |
| 2018 | 18,319 | 16.8% | 15.6% | 60,700 44,300 to 79,500 |
| 2017 | 22,119 | 21.8% | 18.2% | 70,200 53,000 to 90,300 |
| 2016 | 30,586 | 28.3% | 21.3% | 81,000 62,500 to 104,400 |
| 2015 | 36,756 | 29.8% | 24.4% | 93,700 72,200 to 119,700 |
| 2014 | 31,646 | 32.5% | 27.7% | 104,900 81,700 to 131,200 |
| 2013 | 25,872 | 33.5% | 30.6% | 109,400 86,400 to 135,100 |
| 2012 | 25,811 | 35.4% | 33.4% | 114,400 91,000 to 141,200 |
| 2011 | 29,590 | 36.4% | 36.1% | 113,700 91,600 to 138,100 |
| 2010 | 18,090 | 37.7% | 38.6% | 115,100 92,800 to 139,100 |
| 2009 | 13,060 | 40.9% | 39.8% | 113,800 92,200 to 137,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Vauxhall Insignia tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Insignia | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.4% | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 7.3% | 6.1% |
| Tyres More than most | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Brakes | 4.6% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.8% | 2.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Body and structure | 1.8% | 2.0% |
| Wheels | 0.3% | 0.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring4.1%
- Tyre3.0%
- Tyre tread2.8%
- Brake pads2.7%
- Headlamp aim2.3%
- Headlamp2.0%
- Wipers1.6%
- Number plate light1.6%
- Engine warning light1.4%
- Washers1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive5.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.0%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened3.5%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Vauxhall Insignia's own MOT record
Looking at a Insignia? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.