2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Engine oil leaks3.6× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  26.4% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Shock absorbers2.4× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  16.4% All 2011 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  15% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Suspension arm4× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  9.5% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  16.7% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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.

• Brakes
  41% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  41% 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
  35% 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
  28% 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
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?