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Vauxhall Tigra reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20091 named generationCoupePETROL
At a glance

Vauxhall Tigra built around 2009: fails its MOT more often than average

Vauxhall Tigras built around 2009 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Vauxhall Tigra by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Tigras built around 2009 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Tigras built around 2009 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Tigra's generation

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

Tigra B (TwinTop)

B (TwinTop) (2004-2009)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

32.9% fail rate, built around 2009 (16 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.7%)

From 1,835 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 Tigra.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Tigra

By age

Vauxhall Tigra fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Tigra 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
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
47435.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,83532.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,60634.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,59133.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,12131.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
61233.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
5433.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
12925.6%

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 15 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 16-year-old Vauxhall Tigras

These issues come from 16-year-old Vauxhall Tigras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    20.1%
    Advisory: 335Fail: 48 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    18.5%
    Advisory: 325Fail: 14 (4% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.2%
    Advisory: 372Fail: 88 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    16.6%
    Advisory: 402Fail: 34 (8% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    16.0%
    Advisory: 307Fail: 104 (25% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,835 MOT tests on 16-year-old Vauxhall Tigras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 16-year-old Vauxhall Tigras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension37%
  2. Suspension + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Tyres25%
  4. Emissions & exhaust + Suspension24%

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

Across 1,195 MOT tests on Vauxhall Tigra cars built around 2009 (16 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 Tigra.

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

7 recalls in all

4 of the 7 Vauxhall Tigra recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Fire may occur
  • ABS may fail
  • Seat security concern

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 9.8%, against 32.9% for the Vauxhall Tigra, both built around 2009.

    1,696 MOT tests on cars built around 2009

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.6%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 23.9%, against 32.9% for the Vauxhall Tigra, both built around 2009.

    7,887 MOT tests on cars built around 2009

  3. 3

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    8.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    Lower fail rate: 25.1%, against 32.9% for the Vauxhall Tigra, both built around 2009.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,299 MOT tests on cars built around 2009

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Scirocco

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.5%
    Dangerous
    7.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.7%, against 32.9% for the Vauxhall Tigra, both built around 2009.

    4,326 MOT tests on cars built around 2009

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 2009 (16 years old), the Vauxhall Tigra across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,835 16-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Tigra ever sold: 7,422 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2009 (16 years old): 1,835 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.