Used buying checklist
Vauxhall Tigra reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Vauxhall Tigra looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 30.5% of 11,472 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, 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.
- 30.5% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 75,054 miles
- 3,497 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 (59.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, ferrule excessively corroded, and corroded and seriously weakened.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- excessively corroded
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted)
- ball joint excessively worn
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Fuel Pipe/s corroded
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
The model's recorded failure rate is 30.5%, +11.8 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 analysed11,472 tests
- Median tested mileage75,054 miles
- Failed MOT tests3,497
Should you buy a used Vauxhall Tigra?
69.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 30.5%, +11.8 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, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
- 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 "excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (59.9 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 Tigra, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 30.3% at 10-15 years to 30.6% 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, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 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, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. 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 (59.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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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 (40.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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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 (36.4 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 (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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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 (9.6 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 (2.4 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 Tigra, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
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 (59.9 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 Tigra mainly involve 3 areas: mixed recall notices, seatbelts and safety systems, and suspension and steering. 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 Tigra, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,832 | 1,388 | 23.8%+13.0 percentage points vs all models | 39,073 miles |
| 50-100k | 7,257 | 5,014 | 31.1%+10.4 percentage points vs all models | 74,224 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,999 | 1,367 | 34.4%+8.2 percentage points vs all models | 112,672 miles |
| 150-200k | 82 | 55 | 32.9%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 158,314 miles |
| 200k+ | 6 | 4 | 33.3%+6.8 percentage points vs all models | 226,110 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Vauxhall Tigra, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| 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 30.3% at 10-15 years to 30.6% 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 30.6% for 15+ years cars, based on 8,120 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
3,352 | 2,353 | 30.3%+6.7 percentage points vs all models | 14.3 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
8,120 | 5,675 | 30.6%+4.7 percentage points vs all models | 16.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2015-06-05 | FIRE MAY OCCUR Moisture can ingress and accumulate inside the ABS control unit. Excessive accumulation of moisture may cause a fire. On affected vehicles install an additional ABS module protection cover. |
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| 2007-12-17 | ABS MAY FAIL It is possible for moisture to enter the ABS connector/control unit. This can cause the ABS system not to function correctly and in the worst case overheating which may lead to fire. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the ABS control unit fit a protective cover to the control unit and seal the earth point with wax. |
| 2007-09-10 | STEERING CONTROL MAY BE LOST The retaining ring of the steering gear pinion might be out of it's retaining groove. In the worst case the steering gear pinion may lose engagement resulting in loss of steering control Recall affected vehicles and replace steering gear assembly |
| 2006-03-22 | WATER INGRESS INTO ABS WIRING MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND A FIRE It has been identified that the above vehicles could be affected by moisture ingress at the ABS connector. The moisture can enter through the ground wiring connection which can lead to the ABS not functioning correctly overheating within the connector and in extreme cases a fire. Recalled vehicles will have the ABS harness plug checked for moisture ingress and where necessary the wiring harness and control unit will be replaced. In all other cases the ground cable will be secured against ingress of moisture by soldering the cable sockets and applying shrink tubes. |
| 2005-07-26 | AIRBAG COULD BECOME LOOSE Constant quality controls have revealed that on some vehicles the passenger side airbag mounting fixing screws were not torqued to the correct specification. This could result in the airbag unit becoming loose. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and tighten the two airbag retaining screws |
| 2001-02-09 | SEAT SECURITY CONCERN Driver and front passenger seat adjuster rails may fracture and cause seat to become insecure. Recall affected vehicles and fit reinforcing plates to the seat runners. Fit new runners if the original ones are fractured. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Vauxhall Tigra. 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.