Vauxhall Insignia 

This five-door family hatchback is a generally pleasing vehicle to own and drive. A great looking family car, this used car offers a practical car with large cabin space.

The car’s stylish interior, with its sloping roofline, gives the car an edge desired in the modern car market.

While the engines can get noisy, most are strong enough to make everyday scenarios on the road easy. It is nice and stable on the motorway, but may not be the best for pleasure trips. Regardless, it is a reliable vehicle with highly impressive fuel-economy.  

To test its durability, Euro NCAP ran a frontal Offset Crash test on Opel/Vauxhall Insignia (2008) and received a 5-star rating based on its performance and protection in high-speed front and side crash tests.

Watch the Crash test video here.  

Child Safety

The Euro NCAP recommends that children less than 3 years of age should be facing the rear. After the age of three years, it is advised that children be forward-facing. This is to avoid the impact on the chest.

The Insignia is a safe vehicle. In a frontal impact crash, the driver and passengers are well-protected, with the only exception being only adequate protection for the head.

Additionally, in a side impact crash, protection is all around good. Pedestrian protection, however, is marginal.  

Maintenance & Repair Costs     

Repairs made to the Insignia requires normal quality parts. The great news is that these parts can be found at many dealers within the same price range and time commitment of any normal car.  

Service parts:                 £80 – £120             (MANN, German)

Oil filter, Oil, Air filter, Fuel filter, Pollen filter

We recommend either Genuine quality, or similar, such as Mann filters & Castrol oil for Audi.

Cam. Belt change :      £300 – 450   every 60,000mi

Cam belt kit:                 £110 – £180   plus water pump change recommended

Br. Disc & Pads ch.:    £130 – £190   (FRONT, Pagid, German)

Diagnostic:                     £40 – £120

Labour rates:

• Independent:           £65 – £125 / hour

• Main dealer:            £175 – £235 / hour

The Service & Repair process, however, can be more time consuming and will require an experienced mechanic and occasionally special tools.  

Features:

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

Anti-lock brakes, or ABS brakes, will automatically sense when a tire has abruptly stopped rotating and modulate the brake’s pressure to allow the tire to continue rotating safely. With ABS brakes, the vehicle is capable of turning while in brake mode.

STABILITY CONTROL

Stability control will sense when the vehicle has reached or exceeded its limit. It will reduce the engine power and/or apply the appropriate brakes. This feature helps prevent the driver from losing control of his or her vehicle.

FRONT, SIDE, AND OVERHEAD AIRBAGS

The vehicle is loaded with airbags for protection of its driver and passengers. Front airbags protect the head in a frontal crash. If the vehicle experiences a side collision or rollover, the side airbags protect the torso and the overhead airbags protect their heads.

PRE-TENSIONERS

Pre-tensioners on the seatbelt automatically tighten the seatbelt to secure the occupant and ensure minimal injury.

SEATBELT REMINDER

Pre-tensioners on the seatbelt automatically tighten the seatbelt to The seatbelt reminder monitors whether there is an occupant in the seat and communicates this information to the seat restraint system in the vehicle. If the seat belt is not buckled, it sends a reminder to remind the occupant to put the seatbelt on.

ANTI-WHIPLASH

In the event of a rear collision, anti-whiplash head restraints in the vehicle cradle the occupants head to minimize any whiplash injury.

SECURITY SYSTEM The ignition disable device prevents the engine from starting without the original manufacturer’s key.