2014 Vauxhall Insignia 1.8L Petrol · DA63 RAX

The 2014 Vauxhall Insignia presents a maintenance record that is broadly stable, though it reveals recurring front-end mechanical wear that a buyer should investigate thoroughly. The most recent test on 1 April 2026 at 73,334 miles resulted in a pass, but the same day also recorded a failure at 73,329 miles for front brake pads worn below the 1.5 mm legal minimum and an inability to test brake performance. This indicates the vehicle was presented with critically worn pads and a fault in the braking system, which was evidently rectified between the two tests on the same day. The pass is therefore valid, but the earlier failure highlights a lapse in basic brake upkeep immediately before the current MOT was issued. The mileage progression tells a consistent story of typical use. Between the May 2025 test at 66,837 miles and the April 2026 test at 73,334 miles, the car covered 6,497 miles in just under eleven months, which aligns with the roughly 6,100 miles per year average for a twelve-year-old vehicle. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the record, and the annual testing pattern suggests the car has been in regular use rather than standing idle for extended periods. The recurring theme across the 2024 and 2025 tests is front-end wear that the previous owner appears to have managed rather than fully resolved. Both the May 2025 failure and pass flagged worn upper suspension arm pins or bushes on both front corners, and the nearside front brake was noted as binding and fluctuating. The 2024 pass flagged front brake imbalance at the threshold of acceptability. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension arms, bushes, and ball joints inspected for play, and the braking system examined for uneven disc wear, sticking calipers, or a binding nearside front mechanism that may indicate a deteriorating caliper piston or flexible hose. The 2025 failure also identified a major exhaust leak at the front flexi flange caused by a missing bolt and a damaged flexi section, along with emissions outside Lambda limits. Although the subsequent May 2025 pass suggests this was repaired, the buyer should verify the integrity of the front exhaust section and check for any signs of temporary or substandard repairs. The rear registration plate deterioration noted in both 2024 and 2026 is a minor cosmetic issue, but a current replacement plate should be confirmed to avoid a future advisory.