Vauxhall Insignia Hatchback (2009 - 2017) 2.0 CDTi SRi (160bhp) 5d (2011/11) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I don't care what it says about me!

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

It's big!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely not. Too many problems in such a short space of time. Stupid (and useless)"inflation kit". If you have breakdown recovery I'd also advise you to check the T&Cs about inflation kits - not all services are the same!

What are you likely to buy next?

I'll go back to Audi I think.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£10,000

When did you buy the car?

April 2014

Did you get a good deal and why?

Still undecided on that!

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Space, comfort, acceleration.

What was the dealer like?

Dealer has been pretty good so far.

What's it like to drive?

Once the power kicks in it shifts. It's quite comfortable but definitely not as engaging or exciting to drive as it's German rivals. The electronic parking brake (EPB) seems to have a mind of its own. Sometimes, if you stop at traffic lights, put the car in first gear, apply the EPB and then slightly rev the engine the EPB disengages! However, sometimes it doesn't do it - there just doesn't seem to be any consistency. Plus sometimes I've parked the car, applied the EPB and gone to get out only to feel/see the car moving ever so slightly. Sometimes a quick flick of the switch is NOT enough to engage it ... but then sometimes it is! I can certainly see why Vauxhall went back to the old manual hand-brake.

What's it like to park?

It's a pain in the rear-end, or can be if you don't have sensors - you have to be quite careful and err on the side of caution ... the car's quite long so often it looks like you've left your car half in/out of a parking space but better that than bumping the back end.

Have you had any problems with the car?

It's been back to the dealer on 3 occasions. First for water ingress into n/s/f passenger door (a known issue). Second for a faulty EGR valve (causing rapid loss of coolant - another known issue!), and most recently for a replacement electro pneumatic solenoid valve (causing one horrendous humming/buzzing noise between 1500 - 2000 rpm - ANOTHER known issue!). Thankfully all fixed under dealers warranty! Oh and also suffered a double blow-out - its only then that you realise how completely and utterly useless a tyre re-inflation kit is! You don't even get a jack and wheel brace to remove any affected wheel!

What's most practical about your car?

Big boot, plenty of rear leg-room and all the controls are conveniently situated.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Most useful are actually probably the "puddle lights" and the number (three that I can recall!) and location of 12v adaptor sockets - 2 in front, 1 in rear.