Used buying checklist
Vauxhall Antara reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Vauxhall Antara looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 26.0% of 29,577 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 26.0% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 79,997 miles
- 7,686 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (35.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, corroded and seriously weakened, and excessively corroded.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- corroded and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- leaking excessively from engine
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- emissions exceed default limit of 1.5m-1
- emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit
- inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- warning lamp indicates a fault
Focus on corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 26.0%, +7.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed29,577 tests
- Median tested mileage79,997 miles
- Failed MOT tests7,686
Should you buy a used Vauxhall Antara?
74.0% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 26.0%, +7.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (35.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Antara, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 37.5% at 3-6 years to 31.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (35.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (17.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Antara, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (35.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Vauxhall Antara mainly involve 5 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Antara, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 3,089 | 2,456 | 18.3%+7.5 percentage points vs all models | 42,349 miles |
| 50-100k | 19,417 | 13,928 | 26.1%+5.4 percentage points vs all models | 75,861 miles |
| 100-150k | 6,455 | 4,490 | 30.0%+3.8 percentage points vs all models | 113,061 miles |
| 150-200k | 404 | 303 | 26.2%-1.0 percentage points vs all models | 160,970 miles |
| 200k+ | 18 | 15 | 22.2%-4.3 percentage points vs all models | 219,809 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Antara, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 37.5% at 3-6 years to 31.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 37.5% for 3-6 years cars, based on 8 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
8 | 5 | 37.5%+26.9 percentage points vs all models | 5.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
11,214 | 8,312 | 23.8%+7.2 percentage points vs all models | 9.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
17,276 | 12,344 | 27.0%+3.5 percentage points vs all models | 10.8 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
1,079 | 740 | 31.4%+5.5 percentage points vs all models | 15.5 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2018-05-10 | FUEL MAY LEAK on a certain number of Antara (RHD) with 2.0L Diesel Engine Model Year 2007 - 2010 there is a potential for a fuel leak caused by a partial or complete disconnection of a fuel feed hose connector. This fuel leak leads to engine stalling and in a worst case it might potentially result in an engine bay fire. This fuel leak leads to engine stalling and in a worst case it might potentially result in an engine bay fire. No reported cases of fires. to Check and correct the fuel feed hose routing replace the fuel feed hose quick connector retainer and apply a warning sticker to advice that the retainer is a single-use part |
|---|---|
| 2017-01-13 | POSSIBILITY OF FIRE Vehicles equipped with stop/start system might have a starter motor failure while driving due to thermal damage of the starter cable. Authorised Repairers will Rework the starter motor cable. If necessary replace the starter the starter cable and the starter cable nut. |
| 2015-07-19 | ENGINE MAY START INADVERTENTLY Repeated key insertion could create intense wear condition on the trigger of the ignition cylinder internal component. As consequence Engine starter motor might self-crank and the vehicle moves involuntarily if the ignition key has been left in the ignition lock cylinder in the LOCK (OFF) position and a gear engaged. The concern only affects vehicles with manual transmission. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and fit a modified ignition Key cylinder. |
| 2012-09-21 | BRAKE PERFORMANCE MAY BE REDUCED It is possible that a number of vehicles may have had the brake system filled with the incorrect brake fluid which can cause corrosion in the hydraulic ABS modulator. This can cause internal valves to stick which can result in possible longer brake pedal travel. In extreme cases this could result in increased brake pedal travel and stopping distances. Recall all affected vehicles to check the ABS modulator and to replace the brake fluid. If found defective replace the hydraulic ABS modulator. |
| 2010-02-12 | LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL The intermediate steering shaft may not be correctly coupled to the steering column which in certain driving conditions could result in disconnection and loss of steering control. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary reassemble the intermediate steering shaft to the steering column correctly. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Vauxhall Antara. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Vauxhall reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.