Used car guide · 2003–2008

Vauxhall Signum common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Signum, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 3,576 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2008 Vauxhall Signum

Too few Vauxhall Signum cars first registered in 2008 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Vauxhall Signum as a whole.

29on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2008 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Signum?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Vauxhall Signum in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Vauxhall Signum MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Vauxhall Signum MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Vauxhall Signum did best (58% passed first time, 2 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2007 did worst (54%, 3 points below all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200754%57% -3880
200658%56% +21,364
200557%57% +0700
200454%57% -3489 (small sample)
200365%57% +8143 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Signum

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 2.1× as often on the Vauxhall Signum as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Vauxhall Signum?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score