2015 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · DN65 VTJ

The most recent DVSA examination on 12 November 2025 produced a mixed outcome, with the vehicle passing after addressing a number of items that had led to an initial rejection earlier that same day. The failure notice recorded a dangerous or major defect concerning the offside rear upper suspension arm outer bush, which was deemed excessively worn, alongside a nearside headlamp aim that was too low. Both were apparently rectified to enable the subsequent pass, but the advisories relating to the nearside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit and on edge, together with damage to the offside front lower bumper, remained on record. Looking at the trajectory across the recorded tests, the maintenance trend has been broadly stable but with a noticeable escalation in wear-related items over the past two cycles. The 2024 test was entirely clean, whereas the 2025 entry introduced both a structural suspension wear item and a brake-related advisory carried over from the previous year, indicating that consumable wear on the rear braking system and suspension bushes is now beginning to demand closer attention. The recorded mileage of 66,012 miles over an 11-year service life equates to an annual average of roughly 6,000 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and segment. There are no obvious gaps in the MOT record that would suggest extended periods of standing, and the relatively even progression between tests implies consistent usage rather than sporadic or unusually high-mileage driving. This level of use tends to be kinder to drivetrain and engine components than very high annual mileages, but it still places predictable demands on braking friction material, tyres, and suspension bushes as the vehicle accumulates road miles and calendar age. The mileage context therefore supports a generally sensible usage pattern, although buyers should remain mindful that age-related degradation of rubber and fluid-based components will continue regardless of how little the car has been driven. The recurring brake and suspension entries form the most important area for inspection. The November 2023 test recorded dangerously thin offside rear brake pads and an imbalance across the rear axle, with advisories for worn and pitted nearside and offside rear brake discs and a warning that the nearside rear pads were also wearing thin. Although the 2024 test passed without recorded defects, brake discs that have been scored or pitted do not necessarily wear further in straight line terms, but they can contribute to brake shudder under heavy application and may indicate that caliper slide pins or guide mechanisms are binding. On a test drive, listen for any squeal or grinding from the rear axle, feel for vibration through the pedal or steering under firm braking, and check that the vehicle pulls up squarely. The 2025 suspension failure concerning the offside rear upper arm outer bush is particularly significant; worn trailing arm or wishbone bushes typically produce clonking or knocking noises over speed humps and uneven surfaces, vague or wandering rear end behaviour, and uneven rear tyre wear. A careful inspection underneath, ideally with the vehicle raised, is advisable to confirm the quality of the repair and to check adjacent bushes, coil springs, and anti-roll bar linkages for similar deterioration. Beyond the recorded items, a prospective buyer should perform a number of age-and-mileage-related physical checks before committing. The nearside front tyre advisory from 2025 suggests the front pair may again be approaching replacement, so all four tyres should be examined for both tread depth and, given the car's age, sidewall perishing or cracking from rubber degradation. The 2020 advisory concerning the tyre pressure monitoring system should be verified by ensuring the warning light extinguishes correctly after tyre pressures are set. Under the bonnet, the 12-volt battery is now into its later years and should be load tested, while brake fluid, coolant and, if applicable, automatic transmission fluid should be checked for condition and age-related replacement intervals, as these degrade with calendar time rather than mileage alone. The undertray advisory from 2023 should be confirmed as secure, and a thorough inspection for fluid leaks, exhaust integrity, and corrosion around suspension mounting points and the rear subframe should be carried out, as standing periods and winter road salt can accelerate corrosion even on lower-mileage vehicles of this generation.