2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Sub-frame3.8× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  17.5% All 2003 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Coil springs2× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  20.3% All 2003 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Steering rack inner joints3.3× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  11.1% All 2003 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Shock absorbers2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Vectra

  14.2% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.6% of all 2003 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.

Common 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  55% 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
  51% 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
  36% 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
  30% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  19% 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.

• Steering
  16% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2003 Vauxhall Vectra 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.

• Rear axle stub recall

  All engines

  Some cars were recalled because a rear axle stub might not meet spec.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

• Oil use (2.0 and 2.2 DTI)

  2.0 and 2.2 DTI diesel

  The older 2.0 and 2.2 DTI diesels use a lot of oil, and running low causes damage.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick and listen for unusual engine noises.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

• Suspension clonks

  All engines

  Clonks from the suspension can be heard on some cars.

  At the viewing: Listen over bumps and pick a car without clonks.

  Source: What Car?: Vauxhall Vectra (2002-2009) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel

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

1. Has the rear axle recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2003 Vauxhall Vectra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?