2016 Vauxhall Insignia 1.6L Diesel · DN66 LWV

The 2016 Vauxhall Insignia presents a mixed maintenance picture. It passed its most recent MOT on 11 May 2026 at 114,560 miles, but the tester flagged a corroded offside rear coil spring. This is a notable development. Two years prior, in October 2023, the same corner suffered a fractured coil spring and a seriously leaking shock absorber, both of which were clearly repaired to pass the retest two days later. The reappearance of a fault on that exact same spring, now recorded as corrosion rather than fracture, suggests the underlying issue was patched rather than properly resolved. The trend is not worsening in a catastrophic sense, but it is not stable either. A recurring weakness on the offside rear suspension indicates a lingering vulnerability that demands close scrutiny. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a ten-year-old car. It covered roughly 10,000 miles between the October 2022 pass at 81,215 miles and the October 2023 test at 91,288 miles, then slowed to about 7,000 miles annually through to the May 2026 test. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the record. The annual distance is consistent with regular use rather than prolonged standing, which reduces the likelihood of deterioration from sitting idle but confirms normal wear on consumables and suspension components over time. A buyer should focus their in-person inspection squarely on the rear suspension. The offside rear coil spring has now appeared on two separate MOTs, first as a fracture and then as corrosion. That pattern raises questions about water ingress, undersealing condition, or whether a replacement spring of correct specification was fitted in 2023. The offside rear shock absorber, which was leaking severely in October 2023, should be checked for fresh oil misting or damping fade. Corrosion on coil springs often signals broader structural rust, so the rear subframe mountings, trailing arm bushes, and the surrounding bodywork merit a thorough inspection with a torch and a hand. Tyre wear on the offside rear should also be examined, as a compromised spring or damper can cause uneven tread patterns that no amount of tracking will correct.