2011 Vauxhall Antara petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Exhaust system5× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  29.1% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 1.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Shock absorbers3.8× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  26.2% All 2011 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, 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.

• Brake pads3× usual
  Vauxhall Antara

  29.1% All 2011 cars

  9.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Common 2011 Vauxhall Antara petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  51% 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
  48% 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
  42% 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
  36% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  30% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% 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.

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

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Antara petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?