2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · FN62 VUB

The most recent MOT on 27 May 2026 was a pass, but it carried four tyre‑wear advisories on the inner faces of the front‑off‑side, rear‑near‑side and rear‑off‑side tyres, all indicating tread close to the legal limit, together with a warning that the rear brake pads are thin. Over the preceding three years the car has repeatedly been flagged for the same tyre‑wear pattern, thin front and rear brake pads, light oil misting from the front shock absorbers and a minor water‑ingress defect on the off‑side headlamp. Although each test has resulted in a pass, the recurrence of these items suggests a maintenance pattern that is holding the vehicle just above the minimum acceptable condition rather than improving; the wear items are accumulating and will soon require remedial work to avoid a future failure. At 120 300 mi the Vauxhall Insignia averages about 8 600 mi per annum, which is broadly in line with typical private‑use figures for a fourteen‑year‑old car. There are no obvious periods of very low mileage that would indicate long spells of storage, nor any spikes that would point to unusually heavy use. Consequently the wear observed on the tyres, brakes and suspension is consistent with normal calendar and distance‑related degradation rather than an extreme abuse history. A prospective buyer should give the tyre condition the highest priority. Inspect the inner edges of all four tyres for uneven wear, cracking, or perishing of the sidewalls; any significant tread depth loss or sidewall damage will necessitate immediate replacement and may hint at mis‑alignment or worn suspension components. Verify the brake pads on both axles – the rear pads are already thin and the front pads have been flagged repeatedly – and listen for any squeal, shudder or pulsation when applying the brakes, which could indicate that the pads are near the wear indicator and that the discs may be scored or warped. The front shock absorbers have been noted for light oil misting on two occasions; inspect the shock bodies for oil stains and check for excessive bounce or clunking during a slow‑speed ride over bumps, as leaking shocks lose damping efficiency and can accelerate tyre wear. The off‑side headlamp water‑ingress defect, although minor, should be examined for fogging or moisture inside the lens, and the seat‑belt webbing on the driver’s side should be checked for fraying that could compromise safety. The 2022 advisory about a near‑side front wheel bearing being slightly noisy also warrants a feel for any humming or growl from that corner when the vehicle is stationary and a test of the bearing’s play by rocking the wheel. Beyond the recorded defects, age‑related checks are essential. Verify the health of the 12‑V battery – a load test or a check of the cranking voltage will reveal any loss of capacity after fourteen years. Examine all fluid levels and consider a full change of engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and power‑steering fluid, as these degrade over time even with modest mileage. Look for corrosion on the chassis, suspension mounting points and exhaust system, especially in the wheel arches where standing water can accelerate rust. Finally, confirm that the service book contains regular oil changes and any recommended timing‑belt or timing‑chain inspections appropriate to the engine type, as a well‑documented service history will give confidence that the vehicle’s critical wear items have been addressed in a timely manner.