2011 Vauxhall Insignia 1.8L Petrol · D18 WAR

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance profile with a recent downward trend in mechanical condition. While the 2024 test at 32,988 miles showed no defects, the most recent test on 29 October 2025 at 44,900 miles flagged several issues. The tester identified a severely deteriorated nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover and noted that both front tyres were worn close to the legal limit. This shift from a clean 2024 record to multiple advisories in 2025 suggests a period of deferred maintenance or accelerated wear on consumable components. The mileage pattern indicates very low annual usage, averaging approximately 3,000 miles per year over its fifteen-year lifespan. The data shows consistent, incremental increases, such as the 4,705-mile gap between October 2024 and October 2025. This low-mileage usage often correlates with vehicles that sit idle for extended periods, which can lead to the rubber degradation seen in the 2020 and 2021 records regarding cracked and perishing tyres. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the suspension and steering systems. The record shows a history of steering rack gaiter issues in 2020 and a failure in March 2022 due to a missing offside steering rack gaiter. The 2025 advisory regarding the ball joint dust cover suggests further rubber component degradation is underway. Additionally, the March 2023 test highlighted sub-frame corrosion, and although the tester noted it was not seriously weakened, the structural integrity of the underbody warrants a close physical inspection for advancing rust. Brake performance also requires scrutiny. The vehicle failed in March 2022 due to excessive brake disc fluctuation on the offside and nearside front, following a 2015 advisory for sticking rear brakes. While the 2024 test was clean, the recurring nature of brake and suspension issues across the decade suggests that the low mileage has not prevented component ageing. Check the condition of the brake discs and calipers to ensure the previous fluctuations have been properly addressed through replacement or machining.