Vauxhall Insignia MOT pass rate and common problems
75.4% of 300,532 Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests pass.
The Insignia has a pass rate of 75.4%, a little higher than the average across all Vauxhall models (73.5%).
At 75.4%, the Vauxhall Insignia passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Vauxhall Insignia?
This is the average across every Vauxhall Insignia in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Vauxhall’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Vauxhall Insignia tested at 0–3 years pass 88.1% of the time, compared with just 65.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 88.1% | 1,187 | 37,368 miles |
| 3–6 years | 87.1% | 27,382 | 57,543 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.2% | 126,664 | 90,879 miles |
| 10–15 years | 71.9% | 138,952 | 116,445 miles |
| 15+ years | 65.8% | 6,347 | 115,973 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Vauxhall Insignia
The most common reason the Vauxhall Insignia fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 44.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 44.0% | Not working |
| Suspension | 38.2% | Fractured or broken |
| Tyres | 30.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 26.2% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 12.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.7% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 1.8% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 1.4% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Vauxhall Insignia: what to check
These checks follow the Vauxhall Insignia’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Vauxhall Insignia comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 87.1% to 77.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 84.3% down to 77.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 44.0% of failed Vauxhall Insignia MOTs. 19.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 38.2% of failed Vauxhall Insignia MOTs. 22.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 30.4% of failed Vauxhall Insignia MOTs. 12.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 5.0% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 26.2% of failed Vauxhall Insignia MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 4.7% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.6% of failed Vauxhall Insignia MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Vauxhall service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Vauxhall models
- Vauxhall Corsa — 73.3% pass rate
- Vauxhall Astra — 73.2% pass rate
- Vauxhall Mokka — 78.1% pass rate
- Vauxhall Zafira — 69.3% pass rate
- Vauxhall Vivaro — 64.8% pass rate
- Vauxhall Combo — 70.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Vauxhall Insignia?
- 75.4% of Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests pass, based on 300,532 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Vauxhall Insignia?
- The most common reason the Vauxhall Insignia fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 44.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Vauxhall Insignia?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Vauxhall Insignia are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 19.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Vauxhall Insignia?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Vauxhall Insignia's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Vauxhall service history guide for how to check and keep one.