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Vauxhall Signum reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20081 named generationHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 377 MOT tests for Vauxhall Signums built around 2006 (19 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Vauxhall Signum built around 2006: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Vauxhall Signums built around 2006 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Vauxhall Signum by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Signum's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates fell, then rose again. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Signum's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Signum Mk1

Mk1 (2003-2008)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

29.4% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Likely between 25.1% and 34.2%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 377 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Signum.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Signum

By age

Vauxhall Signum fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Signum ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
11133.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
37532.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
37729.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
16230.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
6323.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 17 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 19-year-old Vauxhall Signums

These issues come from 19-year-old Vauxhall Signums, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    26.0%
    Advisory: 146Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    22.3%
    Advisory: 88Fail: 23 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    20.4%
    Advisory: 112Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    18.6%
    Advisory: 70Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    17.2%
    Advisory: 89Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 377 MOT tests on 19-year-old Vauxhall Signums, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 19-year-old Vauxhall Signums notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension43%
  2. Suspension + Tyres33%
  3. Brakes + Tyres32%
  4. Lighting + Suspension31%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 266 MOT tests on Vauxhall Signum cars built around 2006 (19 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Vauxhall Signum.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

3 of the 5 Vauxhall Signum recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • Vauxhall cross carline driver’s airbag - Takata
  • Handbrake may partially release
  • Rear exhaust pipe may move backwards slipping off the front pipe

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 29.4% for the Vauxhall Signum, both built around 2006.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,256 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall Signum on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    25,644 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 5.5%, against 8.5% for the Vauxhall Signum.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,519 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    7.1%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 5.6%, against 8.5% for the Vauxhall Signum.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,210 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Vauxhall Signum across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 377 19-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Signum ever sold: 1,088 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2006 (19 years old): 377 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.