2016 Vauxhall Insignia 1.6L Diesel · FD66 UOU

The Vauxhall Insignia presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 23 September 2025 at 164,358 miles, recorded five advisories, indicating a worsening trend compared to the clean bills of health seen in 2021 and 2022. While the vehicle remains roadworthy, the accumulation of minor suspension and steering advisories suggests deferred maintenance rather than catastrophic failure. The tester flagged play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint and a worn nearside front anti-roll bar bush, both classic symptoms of high-mileage wear on a vehicle covering roughly 16,400 miles annually. A slightly worn rear shock absorber bush and a smooth brake pedal further point to a car that has worked hard and received only essential repairs. Mileage accumulation tells a clear story. Between the clean test on 31 October 2022 at 121,692 miles and the 2024 test on 1 October 2024 at 154,131 miles, the car covered 32,439 miles in under two years, a sharp acceleration from the earlier average of roughly 11,000 miles per year. By September 2025, the odometer read 164,358 miles, adding another 10,227 miles in just under twelve months. This sustained high mileage explains the accelerated wear on consumables and suspension components. The 2024 test already flagged both front tyres worn close to the legal limit, yet the 2025 record shows no tyre advisories, suggesting replacement occurred between those dates. That is a positive sign, but the underlying suspension issues persist. A buyer should focus on the front suspension and steering during any in-person inspection. The recurring advisory for the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage, appearing in both 2024 and 2025, combined with play in the steering rack inner joint, demands a thorough check underneath. Jack the front end and check for clunking or movement in the track rod ends and lower wishbone bushes. The offside front brake pedal wearing smooth in 2025 hints at a binding caliper or uneven pad wear; pull the front wheels and measure pad thickness across both sides. Inspect the subframe and inner wing arches for corrosion, as high-mileage Insignias of this generation are prone to rust around the suspension mounting points. The deteriorated front registration plate is trivial, but the worn rear shock absorber bush should be monitored, as a failing damper will accelerate tyre wear and compromise handling.