2010 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · GF60 WDZ

Three MOT failures in late 2021 and early 2022 all centred on a single defect, the boot lid being unable to secure in the closed position, which is worth noting but does not reflect on the broader mechanical integrity of the vehicle. Since those tests, the Insignia has passed four consecutive MOT examinations between February 2023 and March 2026, with the most recent test on 2 March 2026 producing a pass alongside three advisories. Two of those earlier tests in 2024 and 2025 were completely clean with no advisories recorded, so the recent advisory items represent the first notable flags on the record since 2020 and warrant closer inspection rather than dismissal as routine. At 141,083 recorded miles across roughly 16 years of service, the annual accumulation of around 8,800 miles per year sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The mileage progression across the recorded tests appears consistent and gradual, with no sudden jumps that would suggest an inconsistent odometer or rapid accumulation between tests. There is a noticeable gap in the testing history between November 2020 and January 2022, which likely reflects a period when the vehicle was either off the road, freshly registered after a change of keeper, or otherwise not presented for testing. Beyond this, the continuity of tests at roughly annual intervals from 2022 onwards confirms the car has been in active use through the most recent period, and there is nothing in the mileage pattern to raise immediate concern over high-mileage wear beyond what is normal for a 2010 diesel-era Insignia. The 2026 advisory regarding oil leak not excessive points to a minor seep that has not yet developed into a drip rate sufficient to fail, but on a high-mileage diesel of this generation it is commonly associated with the front crankshaft seal, the turbo oil feed, or the rocker cover gasket. On a test drive, listen for any increase in engine noise at idle, watch for blue or grey smoke from the exhaust on startup, and place a clean piece of cardboard beneath the engine overnight to check for fresh drips. The advisory noting rear coil spring corrosion on both sides suggests surface oxidation has set in, which on a vehicle of this age and mileage is consistent with prolonged exposure to road salt and winter gritting. Listen for clonking or creaking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and visually inspect the springs for pitting or any signs of cracking near the lower coils where corrosion typically initiates. The rear sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened advisory is the item most likely to develop into a future failure if left unaddressed, as subframes on the Insignia of this generation are known to suffer advancing rust once corrosion begins. On inspection, crouch beneath the rear of the vehicle and look for flaking paint, bubbling, or orange staining around the subframe mounting points and any suspension arm attachment brackets, paying particular attention to the handbrake mechanism and rear brake pipe routing. The earlier 2020 advisory of offside front shock absorber light misting suggests the damper seal has been weeping for some time, so on a test drive push down firmly on each front corner and release, observing whether the vehicle rebounds once and settles, or bounces repeatedly indicating reduced damping efficiency. Finally, although the rear tyre edge wear advisory from 2020 was addressed at the time, check the current four tyres for uneven shoulder wear which can indicate worn rear suspension bushes or alignment issues developing on a high-mileage chassis.