Comparison · executive cars

Vauxhall Insignia vs Volkswagen Passat: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Passat does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 374,661 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Insignia

97Below average
MOT tests188,663

Volkswagen Passat

104Above average
MOT tests185,998

By age

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

Age at testVauxhall InsigniaVolkswagen Passat
3–5 years
96Below average
102About average
6–9 years
94Below average
104Above average
10–14 years
99About average
103Above average
15+ years
99About average
105Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVauxhall InsigniaVolkswagen Passat
202183.8%86.6%
202083.1%88.7%
201981.1%86.9%
201881.5%85.5%
201776.7%81.9%
201669.7%79.9%
201568.9%78.0%
201466.0%71.6%
201365.6%68.0%
201263.5%65.7%
201163.4%64.6%
201061.0%62.5%
200958.1%63.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVauxhall InsigniaVolkswagen Passat
Suspension12.614.5
Lights & electrics15.011.0
Tyres9.89.8
Brakes9.37.7
Emissions & leaks4.34.1
Body & chassis2.94.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.43.0
Seat belts & airbags0.41.7

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%

Volkswagen Passat: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.7%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Insignia or the Volkswagen Passat?

The Volkswagen Passat does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 97 for the Vauxhall Insignia, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Insignia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Volkswagen Passat: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken.