2002 Vauxhall Omega 3.2L Petrol · OO51 JER

GetCarWise's MOT-data analysis singles out the Omega B for structural rot in the load-bearing areas around the subframe and suspension mountings, quoting failure rates of many times the national average at steering and suspension mounting points, with corrosion starting inside box sections where moisture is trapped and welding repairs costed at £1,500-£3,000. BreakerYard's Omega guide covers the same structure from the owner's side: a knock over bumps from worn or corroded suspension arms. Because the rot works inward from the seams, a car can look presentable outside and still be declared dangerous underneath.

BreakerYard's Omega guide explains that the cambelt was originally expected to last about 80,000 miles but Vauxhall later halved that to 40,000, and warns that the job is more involved than on many cars: the water pump should be renewed with the belt because it fails at the same time, and the tensioner can slacken as it wears. GetCarWise lists the timing belt among the Omega's big-ticket items at £350-£500, with multiple component replacements typical on cars of this age. Ignore it and the interference petrol engines meet their own valves, which is a write-off rather than a repair.