The family SUV that ticks every box quietly
The Vauxhall Grandland is a mid-size family SUV that shares its platform with the Peugeot 3008, aimed squarely at Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage buyers who want generous equipment, a comfortable cabin, and a familiar badge. It sells on practicality and value rather than driving thrills, appealing to families who prioritise boot space and standard kit over dynamic excellence. Available as petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid, it placed 3rd in the 2026 Driver Power survey.
We track 5 known issues across the Vauxhall Grandland range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Vauxhall Grandland? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
X (2017–2022) — Petrol options included the 1.2 Turbo, 1.2 PureTech, with 1.5 Diesel, 1.6 Diesel, 2.0 Diesel on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Fuel system leak or filler cap failure (£50–£150 to address).
The 1.2-litre petrol variants show an extremely high rate of fuel system leaks or ineffective filler cap seals. MOT data shows this model fails at 18.1 times the national fleet average for fuel system defects, with peak failures in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. This represents a significant design weakness affecting the fuel tank, filler neck, or cap mechanism. The issue appears most severe on the 1200cc PureTech engine variant.
Fuel leaks create a fire hazard and will cause an immediate MOT failure. Vapour leaks waste fuel and may trigger the engine management light. A faulty filler cap can allow water into the fuel system causing starting problems and injector damage.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
MOT data shows this model fails at 30.0 times the fleet average for suspension pin, bush or joint wear, with the trend worsening over recent years. The failure affects all engine variants but is most severe on diesel models in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. This indicates substandard rubber compounds or inadequate bush sizing for the vehicle weight and suspension loads.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, uneven tyre wear, and noise. Severely worn components can affect braking stability and steering precision, creating a safety risk. Complete bush failure can cause suspension geometry changes leading to dangerous handling characteristics.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 1200cc petrol variants show steering column top bearing wear at 6.9 times the fleet average, with failures concentrated in the 20,000-40,000 mile range and a worsening trend. Excessive radial movement between the steering column and shaft indicates premature bearing failure, potentially affecting steering precision and safety.
Worn steering column bearings affect steering precision and can cause the steering wheel to transmit excessive vibration to the driver. In extreme cases, bearing failure could affect steering control, creating a safety hazard.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows brake binding at 40.8 times the fleet average, indicating significant brake effort recorded with no brake pedal applied. This affects both petrol and diesel variants with a worsening trend, suggesting caliper seizure or brake pad/disc issues causing the brakes to drag continuously.
Binding brakes cause increased fuel consumption, premature brake component wear, and potential brake fade or failure. Continued driving with binding brakes can overheat the brake system, warp discs, and create a dangerous loss of braking effectiveness.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
MOT failures for CV joint boot deterioration occur at 18.1 times the fleet average, affecting all engine variants with the trend worsening. Peak failures occur in the 20,000-40,000 mile range, suggesting premature aging of the rubber boot material. Once split, the CV joint loses its protective grease and contaminates with road dirt, leading to eventual joint failure.
A split CV boot allows grease to escape and dirt to enter the joint. If caught early, boot replacement prevents joint damage. If ignored, the CV joint will fail requiring complete driveshaft replacement at significantly higher cost.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Vauxhall Grandland common problems page.
Based on 148k real DVSA MOT tests, the Vauxhall Grandland fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... at 46x the fleet average, followed by front or rear fog lamp not securely attached (22x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Vauxhall Grandland MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 12k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Vauxhall Grandland service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Vauxhall Grandland is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2021-2023 facelift models are the pick. The 2021 update dropped the 'X' suffix, introduced Vauxhall's new Vizor design language, improved infotainment, and ironed out many early electrical niggles seen in 2018-2019 cars.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Vauxhall Grandland, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Vauxhall Grandland issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.