2009 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · EX09 SXM

The most recent DVSA examination on 6 April 2024 resulted in a PASS, however the test record should be read with the prior failure of 28 March 2024 in mind, as both tests carry an identical set of advisories relating to rear brake pad wear, front shock absorber oil misting, and steering rack inner joint play. The fact that the vehicle was submitted, failed, repaired or rectified where necessary, and returned nine days later to pass with the same advisory items confirms that none of the noted defects were considered severe enough to constitute a failure but were instead classified as items approaching the minimum standard. Reviewing the broader MOT history from 2022 onwards, the same advisory concerning offside front shock absorber oil misting and steering rack inner joint play has been present at every test, indicating a stable but slowly worsening condition rather than an acute deterioration. The pattern suggests a vehicle that has been consistently maintained to pass standard, but with progressive wear items accumulating across the front suspension and braking system that warrant close scrutiny. With a recorded mileage of 154,797 miles across seventeen years, this Insignia has averaged approximately 9,106 miles per annum, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and original market positioning. The annual rate is not low enough to raise significant concerns about long periods of standing, such as seized brake calipers, severe underbody corrosion, or degraded brake fluid through lack of fluid motion, nor is it high enough to suggest excessive motorway wear on the clutch, engine, or drivetrain. Mileage accumulation appears steady and proportionate, and there are no obvious gaps in the record that would imply clocked or inconsistent readings. That said, at this total mileage, age-related degradation of rubber and polymer components is inevitable regardless of annual use, and the vehicle sits firmly in the bracket where original timing chains, dual mass flywheels, and suspension subframe bushings can begin to demand attention. The repeated advisory items across multiple tests are the primary mechanical concerns here. The offside front shock absorber has been reported as having light oil misting since at least 2022, and the nearside front shock was added to that advisory in 2024, suggesting the front damper seals are progressively leaking hydraulic fluid. Oil-misting shock absorbers do not yet compromise a pass, but they indicate that the dampers are losing their damping efficiency, which typically manifests on a test drive as excessive body roll through corners, a nose-diving sensation under heavy braking, prolonged oscillation after speed humps, or a generally wallowy ride over undulating surfaces. The play in the steering rack inner joint, also a recurring advisory, is more significant as it points to wear in the rack itself or the inner tie rod ends. On test, this can present as a slight vagueness or delay in steering response around the straight-ahead position, a minor knocking or clunking when turning the wheel at low speed, or uneven tyre wear particularly on the inside edges of the front tyres. A physical check should be performed with the wheels raised and the steering rocked by hand to confirm free play, and the inner and outer tyre shoulders should be inspected for feathering or accelerated wear. The rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in 2024 and would ordinarily be approaching replacement by now given the additional mileage accrued since the test, so inspection of pad material thickness and disc condition is essential, looking for lipping on the disc outer edge and any signs of brake judder or pulling under braking. With seventeen years of service, a prospective buyer should also verify time-based maintenance items that MOT testing does not cover, including the age and condition of the 12 volt battery, the replacement history of coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual gearbox oil, and the state of the timing chain and tensioner if the original chain has not been confirmed as changed. Tyre sidewalls should be examined carefully for cracking and perishing regardless of tread depth, as rubber degrades with calendar age, and the exhaust system, particularly the flexi section and rear silencer, should be checked for corrosion given the vehicle's age. Finally, confirming a complete service history with stamped intervals every twelve months or twelve thousand miles will provide the strongest reassurance that this Insignia has been looked after comprehensively rather than merely passed through annual MOT inspections.