Used car guide

2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Vauxhall Grandland first registered in 2018 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 15,828 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,828MOTs of 2018 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
78%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)
9,200typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake discs1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Grandland
    18.2% All 2018 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints21× usual
    Vauxhall Grandland
    8.4% All 2018 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints5× usual
    Vauxhall Grandland
    4% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Headlights3.1× usual
    Vauxhall Grandland
    3.1% All 2018 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.9% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.2% here, against 13.6% of all 2018 cars.

Common 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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.

  • Suspension
    15% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel

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

  1. Have the piston and oil plug recalls been done?
  2. Has the leather seat airbag recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2018 Vauxhall Grandland diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Grandland?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Vauxhall Grandland compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023460Tyres 26%
20227,446Tyres 28%
202122,621Tyres 26%
202054,816Tyres 27%
201967,164Tyres 28%
2017152Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Vauxhall Grandland cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score