2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · SD07 SCD

A persistent exhaust integrity issue is the defining mechanical thread running through this Insignia's MOT history. The most recent test on 24 October 2025 recorded the vehicle as passed but flagged a minor leak from the central exhaust, continuing a pattern that was severe enough to cause a failure on 20 October 2021 when the exhaust system was deemed insecure and was leaking exhaust gases badly enough to also prevent emissions from being properly tested. That same vehicle then returned the following day, 21 October 2021, and passed cleanly without any exhaust defect being raised, suggesting a repair was completed between the two tests. The recurrence of an exhaust gas leak advisory in 2025, after a clean run in 2022, 2023, and 2024, indicates the repair made in 2021 has not fully held and that the pipework, joints, or mounting rubbers remain susceptible to deterioration, particularly given the vehicle's high mileage and age. With 128,165 miles recorded on a 2012 vehicle, this Insignia has covered approximately 9,155 miles per year over its life, which sits broadly in line with typical annual usage for a car of its age. The mileage progression between tests is steady and consistent, with no obvious gaps in testing that would suggest a long period off the road, and no sudden jumps that would indicate clock irregularities within the recorded data. However, at this accumulated mileage, mechanical wear on consumable and structural components should be expected: suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, clutch and dual-mass flywheel (depending on transmission), and engine oil leaks from sump gaskets or cam covers are all areas where wear tends to become apparent in the 100,000 to 150,000 mile bracket. The fact that only one bearing play advisory and one set of brake pad advisories have been raised across seven tests is notable, though it does not eliminate the possibility of wear items being replaced between tests without being flagged. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the exhaust system during inspection. With both a 2021 major failure and a 2025 minor leak advisory, the central exhaust section, including the flexible joint, mounting rubbers, and pipe connections, is a known weak point on this vehicle. On a test drive, listen for any ticking or hissing from underneath the car at idle, particularly noticeable when the engine is cold, and watch for any change in exhaust note that suggests a blowing joint worsening under load. Physically inspect the central pipe, the flange joints near the catalytic converter, and the rear silencer mounting brackets for signs of black soot deposits indicating a current or recent leak, and check that the system is solidly supported rather than hanging on stressed rubber mountings. The tyre wear pattern recorded in 2020 and again in 2023, with both front and rear tyres flagged as worn close to the legal limit or worn on edge across multiple tests, suggests the tracking or suspension geometry may be outside specification. During a test drive, pay attention to any pulling to one side under steady acceleration or braking, any steering wheel off-centre, or any feathering on the inner or outer edges of the tyres that would point to misalignment. The rear wheel bearing play advisory from April 2019 should prompt a check for any humming or rumbling noise from the rear of the vehicle that changes with road speed, and a physical check for sideways play when the wheel is rocked by hand. Finally, given the mileage, lift the bonnet and inspect for oil seepage around the cam cover gasket, check the coolant level and condition for any signs of emulsification, and verify that the cooling fan operates correctly, as these are common wear points on higher-mileage Insignias.