2011 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · WN11 OJD

A clear mechanical thread runs through this Insignia's MOT history: tyres and rear suspension components are the recurrent weak points, with the most serious intervention being the nearside rear shock absorber that failed on a major defect at the May 2024 test, recording a serious fluid leak and triggering a fail before the same-day retest passed with no further defects. Tyre wear advisories have appeared repeatedly at the front and rear axle across 2022 and 2023, with cracking noted on a rear tyre in 2023, while the most recent test on 19 May 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories recorded. That is a reassuring outcome on paper, but the underlying pattern indicates a car that has needed consumable attention on the contact patches and damping components within the last four years, and the failed shock absorber in particular is a component that should not have been at the point of hydraulic failure at this mileage if the vehicle has been used as recorded. Annual mileage accumulates at roughly 6,994 miles per year across fifteen years, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for the age and segment. The testing record shows a notable gap between October 2019 and May 2021, almost twenty months with no MOT entry, which can correspond to the vehicle being either off the road (SORN), recently sold, or operating under an MOT exemption, and this stretch is worth clarifying with the seller as it may obscure interim maintenance. The recorded odometer readings climb steadily between tests without any inconsistencies, and the overall accumulation suggests moderate rather than arduous use, though any car of this age reaching 104,916 miles will inevitably show wear on suspension bushes, dampers, brake discs, and clutch or torque-convert internals depending on the driving conditions encountered. For a prospective buyer, the most critical area to scrutinise is the rear suspension. The 2024 nearside rear shock absorber failure should prompt a physical inspection of both rear dampers for any signs of fresh oil misting, weeping at the seal, or residue on the body of the unit, and the corresponding rear coil springs and upper mountings should be checked for sagging or corrosion, particularly around the spring seats. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which can indicate worn top mounts or perished bushes, and pay attention to any residual bouncing after hitting a bump, which would suggest the replacement damper is itself degrading. The rear trailing arm bushes and anti-roll bar linkages on Insignias of this generation are also prone to perishing and should be inspected for play with the wheels off the ground or by feel through the body during cornering. Braking and tyre condition deserve close attention given the pattern of edge wear recorded at MOT. Ask when the brake discs and pads were last changed and look for lipping on the front disc edges, which would confirm whether the recent tyre wear at the front is linked to geometry misalignment rather than just consumption. During a test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 30 mph and feel for pedal pulsation or vibration through the steering wheel, both of which indicate warped discs, and check that the vehicle tracks straight under braking without pulling to either side. Inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which on a front-wheel-drive Insignia often points to worn lower wishbone bushes or droplinks, and confirm that the sidewalls are free from the cracking previously flagged. Finally, examine the offside front mirror for the damage recorded in 2025 and ensure any replacement glass or housing is securely mounted, as a loose mirror assembly will itself fail an MOT.