Vauxhall Agila MOT Failures
An analysis of 241,569 real DVSA MOT tests on the Vauxhall Agila — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: A-H00 (2000–2007), B-H08 (2008–2015).
Where the Vauxhall Agila fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Vauxhall Agila is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 74 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 241,569 MOT tests, 1.33% of all Vauxhall Agila tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (72x the fleet average), brake pipes corroded (18x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (19x the fleet average), and suspension component fractured or (190x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Vauxhall Agila's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Vauxhall Agila before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Vauxhall Agila's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Vauxhall Agila specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component fractured or (190x the average) and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (72x). suspension component damaged or corroded (33x) and tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are di... (29x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Vauxhall Agila specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component fractured or (95x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (50x). load sensing valve linkage defective (41x) and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (39x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Vauxhall Agila specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (49x the average) and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (44x). suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (15x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (12x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension component fractured or at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Vauxhall Agila specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Suspension component fracture (B-H08) Dangerous
The second generation Agila shows catastrophic suspension component failures at 124.8 times the national fleet average, specifically on 1.2-litre petrol models around 80,000-100,000 miles. Affects B-H08; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Load sensing valve failure (B-H08) Major
The load sensing valve on second generation Agila 1.2-litre models fails at up to 71.9 times the fleet average, affecting brake pressure distribution between front and rear axles. Affects B-H08; typical independent garage repair cost is £180–£300.
Brake hose ferrule corrosion (B-H08) Major
Brake hose ferrules on second generation Agila corrode at 26.7 times the fleet average, affecting cars from new. Affects B-H08; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£200.
Suspension bush and joint wear
Agila models show suspension pin, bush and joint wear at up to 59.1 times the fleet average, affecting all engine variants from as low as 20,000 miles. Affects A-H00, B-H08; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Vauxhall Agila common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Vauxhall Agila
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Vauxhall Agila:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component fractured or, suspension component damaged or corroded. Brakes — check for load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab..., brake pipes corroded. Steering — check for track rod ends worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension component fracture and load sensing valve failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Vauxhall Agila?
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Vauxhall Agila MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Vauxhall Agila?
Based on 241,569 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 74x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... and brake pipes corroded.
Is the Vauxhall Agila reliable based on MOT data?
The Vauxhall Agila has 21 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag suspension component fracture as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Vauxhall Agila most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension component fractured or and load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab....
How do I check a Vauxhall Agila's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.