2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0L Diesel · YF61 PUK

A recent catastrophic suspension failure – the off‑side rear coil spring fractured and the near‑side front anti‑roll bar linkage was deemed dangerous – dominates this Vauxhall Insignia’s MOT record, and the vehicle only returned to a pass status after those items were rectified on 23 January 2026. Prior years show a steady accumulation of advisory items, chiefly on the anti‑roll bar ball joint, tyre tread depth and brake wear, but no further major failures, suggesting the car has been kept road‑worthy enough to meet the annual test, albeit with recurring wear on suspension and braking components. Mileage has not been disclosed, so no direct comparison with the vehicle’s age can be made. The uninterrupted series of yearly MOTs from 2020 through 2026 indicates the car has been driven regularly rather than sitting idle for extended periods, which generally limits the risk of age‑related deterioration such as rubber cracking or fluid degradation that can accompany long storage gaps. However, without mileage data the rate of wear on wear‑items cannot be quantified, and the presence of multiple advisories over successive years points to a usage pattern that has placed a moderate load on the suspension and braking systems. When inspecting the suspension, pay particular attention to the rear coil springs and both front anti‑roll bar linkages. Listen for clunking or knocking noises when traversing bumps, and feel for any looseness or wandering in the steering that could indicate lingering play in the anti‑roll bar ball joint or a re‑emerging weakness in the coil spring mounts. A visual check should confirm that the rear spring is intact, the anti‑roll bar bushings are free of excessive movement, and that there is no corrosion on the mounting brackets. The brake system also warrants close scrutiny. The recurring advisories on thin rear pads and mildly pitted discs suggest the front and rear braking hardware is approaching the end of its serviceable life. During a test drive, note any pulsation through the pedal, a spongy feel, or increased stopping distances, and inspect the pads for remaining thickness and the discs for deep scoring. Tyre tread should be measured to ensure it remains well above the legal minimum, and the front shock absorber should be checked for any oil seepage or loss of damping, which would manifest as excessive bounce after a bump. Addressing these items before purchase will mitigate the risk of imminent component failure.