Comparison · executive cars

BMW 3 Series vs Vauxhall Insignia: which is more reliable?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 668,021 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 3 Series

110Well above average
MOT tests479,358

Vauxhall Insignia

97Below average
MOT tests188,663

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testBMW 3 SeriesVauxhall Insignia
3–5 years
100About average
96Below average
6–9 years
108Above average
94Below average
10–14 years
110Well above average
99About average
15+ years
115Well above average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 3 SeriesVauxhall Insignia
202185.0%83.8%
202086.0%83.1%
201986.9%81.1%
201886.5%81.5%
201785.2%76.7%
201683.6%69.7%
201581.1%68.9%
201477.0%66.0%
201373.4%65.6%
201268.9%63.5%
201168.7%63.4%
201067.4%61.0%
200966.0%58.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 3 SeriesVauxhall Insignia
Lights & electrics11.815.0
Suspension8.212.6
Tyres8.69.8
Brakes9.09.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.64.4
Emissions & leaks3.64.3
Body & chassis1.42.9
Wheels1.10.5

BMW 3 Series: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.7%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%

Vauxhall Insignia: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.6%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Vauxhall Insignia?

The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Vauxhall Insignia can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Vauxhall Insignia in 0.

What fails most on each?

BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Vauxhall Insignia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.