At a Glance
The Vauxhall Insignia has 32 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (2008-2017) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 2.3M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Vauxhall Insignia common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Vauxhall Insignia generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Vauxhall Insignia Generations
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Most Common Vauxhall Insignia MOT Failures
Every reason Vauxhall Insignia vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 16.13% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 12.17% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 11.82% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 7.75% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.17% |
| 6 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 4.40% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.22% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.63% |
| 9 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.22% |
| 10 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.43% |
| 11 | Position lamp not working | 2.22% |
| 12 | Headlamp fault | 2.14% |
| 13 | Exhaust system fault | 2.14% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.08% |
| 15 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.00% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.94% |
| 17 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.18% |
| 18 | ABS fault | 1.02% |
| 19 | Driveshaft fault | 0.88% |
| 20 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.81% |
| 21 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.78% |
| 22 | Stop lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.73% |
| 24 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.57% |
| 25 | Horn not working | 0.56% |
| 26 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.51% |
| 27 | Indicator fault | 0.50% |
| 28 | Front lamp not working | 0.49% |
| 29 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.43% |
| 30 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.38% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.36% |
| 32 | Track rod end worn | 0.36% |
| 33 | Steering rack fault | 0.34% |
| 34 | Brake pedal fault | 0.32% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 36 | Seat belt condition | 0.30% |
| 37 | Rear lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 38 | Engine oil leak | 0.27% |
| 39 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.26% |
| 40 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.21% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.20% |
| 42 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.19% |
| 43 | Fog lamp not working | 0.18% |
| 44 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.18% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.18% |
| 46 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.17% |
| 47 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 48 | Brake caliper fault | 0.13% |
| 49 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.12% |
| 50 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.11% |
| 51 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 52 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.10% |
| 53 | Rear suspension fault | 0.10% |
| 54 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.10% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 56 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.10% |
| 57 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.09% |
| 58 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.07% |
| 59 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.06% |
| 60 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 61 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 63 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 64 | Exhaust leak | 0.05% |
| 65 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 66 | Front suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Chassis condition | 0.05% |
| 68 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 69 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 70 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 71 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 72 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 73 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.03% |
| 74 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 76 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 77 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 80 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 85 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 90 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 92 | Parking brake condition | 0.02% |
| 93 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 95 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 98 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 101 | Steering operation fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 103 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Steering lock fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 106 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 108 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 112 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 118 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 125 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 126 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 129 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 130 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 132 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 133 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 145 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 168 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 178 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Vauxhall Insignia MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Vauxhall Insignia, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Vauxhall Insignia problems?
Based on analysis of 2.3M Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 32 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Coil spring broken or corroded". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Vauxhall Insignia generation has the most problems?
The Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 (2008-2017) (2008–2017) has the highest number of identified common problems (38). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Vauxhall Insignia?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Vauxhall Insignia owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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