Used car guide

2021 Vauxhall Insignia petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Vauxhall Insignia first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 163 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 163 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

163MOTs of 2021 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
8,800typical miles a year
31%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 Vauxhall Insignia petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Vauxhall Insignia petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    8% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Vauxhall Insignia petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Insignia?

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Other years

Every year of the Vauxhall Insignia compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022633Tyres 39%
20203,957Tyres 26%
201923,888Tyres 29%
201837,936Tyres 30%
201746,306Tyres 32%
201666,473Tyres 34%
201585,058Tyres 36%
201474,941Tyres 36%
201361,358Tyres 37%
201259,110Tyres 39%
201166,448Suspension 40%
201039,810Suspension 43%
200927,884Suspension 47%
2008310Suspension 41%

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 Insignia cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score