2016 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · FD16 AFU

The 2016 Vauxhall Insignia presents a mixed roadworthiness profile characterised by two major failures in 2024 followed by a clean pass in May 2025 with no defects recorded. The most recent MOT on 2025-05-08 resulted in a pass, indicating that the vehicle has cleared the regulatory threshold again, yet the earlier 2024 failure introduced three distinct major defects including a non-functional rear fog lamp, fractured rear coil springs on both sides, and severe damage to the rear tyres where one had a cut exceeding safety requirements. This pattern of intermittent failures interspersed with consecutive passes suggests the car maintains a baseline level of compliance while still carrying significant structural and component-level risks that require attention before acquisition. With 82,388 miles recorded against approximately ten years of ownership, the vehicle accumulates roughly 8,239 miles per annum, a rate that aligns with expected depreciation curves for this model age rather than suggesting abnormal driving patterns. The testing gap between the 2020 failure and the 2024 major failure spans nearly four years, during which the car accumulated substantial distance despite showing no MOT failures until then, implying progressive degradation of critical systems such as the suspension and braking components. The subsequent clean tests in 2021 through 2025 indicate the vehicle has remained operationally capable since the 2024 incident, though the absence of intermediate failures does not eliminate the need for a thorough physical inspection to confirm whether the previously flagged defects have been resolved or merely deferred. Buyers should expect to investigate the rear suspension architecture closely, particularly the coil springs on both the nearside and offside rear axle, as they were reported fractured in the 2024 MOT and may exhibit excessive play or uneven ride quality during handling. A test drive should reveal any noticeable knocking or clunking over bumps, especially when approaching corners, as compromised coil springs often transmit chassis vibrations up through the body. Additionally, the rear tyres require visual confirmation of the cut mentioned in the 2024 failure report, with any exposed ply or cord damage necessitating replacement or professional repair, and the presence of such damage typically correlates with reduced contact patch and potential alignment issues. The rear fog lamps, though currently functional according to the 2025 pass, merit a quick visual check for bulb burnout or wiring faults that could recur under different conditions. Windscreen wiper performance represents another focal point, as the 2020 MOT identified that neither the nearside nor offside wipers cleared the glass effectively, a problem that may persist if blades are worn, arms are misaligned, or the gearbox mechanism has degraded. During a test drive, listen for irregular noises when the wipers engage and observe whether water clears the lens completely or leaves streaking marks. The combination of wiper ineffectiveness alongside the previously noted rear tyre damage could compound handling challenges due to reduced visibility and potential hydroplaning risk. Finally, while not explicitly flagged in the records, the widespread nature of the rear suspension failures suggests that subframe integrity might also be compromised; inspecting for rust or corrosion around the mounting points of the rear coil springs and associated bushings will help determine whether the structural foundation remains sound enough for safe driving.