Used car guide

2009 Vauxhall Tigra diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Vauxhall Tigra first registered in 2009 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 113 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 113 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

113MOTs of 2009 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
47%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
5,200typical miles a year
44%had suspension flagged

Common 2009 Vauxhall Tigra diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Vauxhall Tigra diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra diesel

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 Tigra?

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Other years

Every year of the Vauxhall Tigra compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010–Too few tests
20083,532Suspension 49%
20074,135Brakes 48%
20064,409Brakes 50%
20052,437Brakes 49%
2004637Brakes 49%
2000145Suspension 32%
1999111Suspension 48%
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

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 Tigra cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score