2016 Vauxhall Insignia 1.6L Diesel · CT09 AMY

The Vauxhall Insignia’s most recent MOT history reveals a concerning pattern of deferred maintenance, culminating in a failed test just six months ago at 63,692 miles. The January 2026 failure was not an isolated incident but the culmination of repeated oversights: the offside rear inner tyre was worn dangerously close to the legal limit, the nearside rear coil spring showed advanced corrosion, and the nearside front outer tyre had a ply-penetrating cut. Even the rear brake pads were flagged as excessively worn, despite no prior mention of brake issues in earlier tests. This suggests that while the vehicle may pass routine checks when driven lightly, critical components—particularly suspension and tyres—are being neglected. The fact that the January 2026 retest passed with no defects implies these faults were addressed, but the underlying issue remains: previous owners either failed to act on advisories or ignored minor wear until it became a failure. Without evidence of consistent upkeep, this Insignia cannot be considered a low-risk purchase. The mileage progression aligns with typical light-to-moderate usage for its age, averaging around 6,369 miles per year, which is unremarkable for a 10-year-old vehicle. However, the clustering of MOT tests—with only three passes between February 2023 and February 2025—indicates either infrequent testing or deliberate deferral of checks. The gap between the 2023 test at 38,120 miles and the 2024 test at 45,636 miles (7,516 miles in 12 months) suggests the car may have sat unused for periods, or the owner prioritised mileage accumulation over servicing. The January 2026 double-test at identical mileage (63,692) is highly unusual and points to either a rushed purchase or a last-minute attempt to pass an MOT before a sale. Given the lack of intermediate tests, there’s no way to confirm whether other components—such as suspension bushes, brake fluid condition, or exhaust emissions—have deteriorated beyond advisory thresholds. For a prospective buyer, the most urgent areas to inspect are the suspension and braking systems. The nearside rear coil spring corrosion in January 2026 is a red flag for structural integrity; if left unaddressed, it could lead to premature spring failure or even frame stress. The rear brake pads were flagged as "wearing thin," which may imply uneven wear or binding calipers—both of which warrant a thorough brake system check, including fluid condition and disc thickness. Tyres are another critical concern: the repeated failures on rear tyres (2023 and 2026) suggest either aggressive driving, misalignment, or neglect of rotation. A buyer should verify the current tread depth across all four tyres and check for uneven wear patterns. Finally, given the car’s age and the corrosion noted on the coil spring, a full underbody inspection for rust in suspension mounts, subframes, and exhaust components is essential. The absence of defects in the 2024 and 2025 tests does not guarantee these areas are sound—only that they were not examined at the time.