Vauxhall Antara common problems & fixes (2007–2010, 2011–2015 facelift)

Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-13.

30-second verdict

The Vauxhall Antara (2007–2015) is a cheap, well-equipped five-seat SUV, but it has a weak reliability record and fails its MOT more often than most cars of its age. Buy on condition and paperwork rather than price. The faults that matter are a clogged particulate filter on short-trip 2.2 CDTi diesels, transfer-box and gearbox failures, and electrical gremlins. C4R's analysis of 2024 DVSA MOT data also shows lamps, coil springs and suspension bushes failing often. The safest pick is a 2011-on 2.2 CDTi with a full service history, four matching tyres and proof that every recall is closed, especially the DPF fire-risk campaign. Parkers' pick is the front-wheel-drive 163PS manual, which also avoids the four-wheel-drive hardware.

Generations at a glance

One oddity is worth knowing. In DVSA's 2024 MOT records, 553 tests on Antaras first registered in 2011 and 2,091 on cars first registered in 2012 list a 1,991cc diesel engine, the size of the old 2.0 CDTi. The data doesn't show whether these are late-registered older cars or recording quirks, so confirm the engine on the V5C and under the bonnet rather than going by the registration year.

Known issues

These are ranked by how much they matter to a buyer. Honest John reported that the 2007-on Antara came bottom among new 4x4s and SUVs for reliability in the 2014 Which? car survey, and Auto Express also mentions its reputation for poor reliability, so a careful inspection matters more than usual.

1. DPF blockage and the DPF fire-risk recall (2.2 CDTi)

Label: Confirmed recall R/2015/137

• What you notice: the DPF warning light comes on, often on cars that mostly do short trips. More than one diesel owner in Carbuyer's owner reviews complains about how often it appears.
• Which cars: DVSA lists Antaras built 03/11/2010–26/05/2015 in this campaign, a window that lines up with production of the facelifted model. The record names 22,373 vehicles.
• Why: the filter cleans itself by burning off soot at high temperature. During an active clean the dashboard tells the driver to keep driving at a steady speed until the light goes out. DVSA's record says that if the driver ignores this, the filter and exhaust can overheat and set fire to the lower engine compartment cover nearby.
• Fix: under the recall, Vauxhall first removed the lower engine compartment cover and then fitted a new cover once parts were available. A blocked filter on its own needs a proper diagnosis of the soot level and a forced clean with a scan tool before anyone suggests replacing it.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5 to diagnose with a capable scan tool. The recall is dealer work.
• Check when buying: run the registration through the GOV.UK recall checker and ask a Vauxhall dealer whether both stages of R/2015/137 have been done. Make sure no DPF or engine warning light appears on the test drive, and ask how the car has been used. A life of short school runs is a warning sign.
• Evidence: DVSA recall record R/2015/137; Carbuyer owner reviews describing frequent DPF warnings.

2. Transfer box and four-wheel-drive driveline failure

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: whining, rumbling or clunking from under the car, vibration, or a sudden failure. Owners told Honest John about transfer boxes failing on 2012 and 2013 cars, in one case breaking open the casing.
• Which cars: four-wheel-drive Antaras. The transfer-box failures Honest John recorded were on 2012 and 2013 cars. Owners in the RAC and Carbuyer reviews also describe a failed prop shaft and failed wheel bearings, including on a 2008 2.0 CDTi.
• Why: the four-wheel-drive system normally drives the front wheels and sends up to half the drive to the rear when it is needed. When one owner said a garage had blamed extra wear on a single tyre for a cracked transfer box, Honest John agreed that the resulting difference in tyre size was the cause.
• Fix: a failed transfer box is normally replaced as a unit. Owners reported repair quotes of £2,500 and £4,100 to Honest John in 2017 and 2018. A worn prop shaft or wheel bearing is a separate repair.
• DIY difficulty: 4/5.
• Check when buying: insist on four matching tyres of the same size with similar tread depth. Drive slowly on full lock in both directions and feel for binding or judder, then listen for whine or rumble at 40–60mph. Look for oil weeping around the transfer box and gearbox. Front-wheel-drive versions do not have this hardware at all.
• Evidence: Honest John's Antara owner reports and its Ask HJ answer on tyre wear and transfer boxes; RAC Drive's used review (owner survey); Carbuyer owner reviews.

3. Gearbox bearing, clutch and automatic shift faults

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: on manuals, a rumble or whine from the gearbox, a stiff or notchy change, or clutch slip. On automatics, hesitant or flaring changes, loss of drive or limp mode.
• Which cars: the manual reports are mostly 2.2 CDTi cars registered in 2012 and 2013. Honest John also recorded a 2012 automatic that briefly lost drive on the motorway and later went into limp mode, where a transmission solenoid fault was diagnosed.
• Why: Honest John logged a 2012 car whose gearbox main bearing failed at 50,000 miles, leaving it needing a new gearbox, clutch and flywheel; that report called it a common fault. It also logged a complaint about changes into second, fourth and sixth on a 2.2 CDTi 4x4. Carbuyer owners of 2012–2013 cars report clutch and gearbox trouble, and Parkers' road test found the manual's action notchy.
• Fix: a noisy bearing usually means taking the gearbox out for overhaul or replacement, and it is sensible to renew the clutch at the same time. On an automatic, start with a diagnostic scan and a fluid check before condemning the gearbox.
• DIY difficulty: 5/5.
• Check when buying: with the engine warm, listen for gearbox noise that changes when you press the clutch, try every gear including reverse, and accelerate hard in a high gear to check for clutch slip. On an automatic, check for smooth changes from cold and when hot, with no flaring revs or warning lights, and ask whether the fluid has ever been changed. Ask whether it has regularly towed a heavy caravan or trailer (the RAC quotes limits of up to 2,000kg), as that adds load to the clutch and gearbox.
• Evidence: Honest John's Antara owner reports; Carbuyer owner reviews; Parkers' engines and handling review.

4. Electrical faults: alarm, windows, locks, injector plugs

Label: Reported by owners and independent specialists

• What you notice: an alarm that goes off by itself, indicators or central locking playing up, electric window motors burning out, or a failed boot lock or Bluetooth unit. Some owners also report an injector wiring connector working loose (one Carbuyer owner said it happened more than once), and Honest John logged a 2012 2.2 CDTi in limp mode with injector-related fault codes.
• Which cars: reported on both generations, including several 2012-registered 2.2 CDTi cars. Honest John also recorded an intermittent fault on some 2009 diesel automatics where the ESP lights came on and the throttle stopped responding. The dealer blamed the throttle pedal sensor, and the fault could come back even after the sensor was replaced and rewired.
• Why: the owner reports point to wiring looms, connectors, motors and control units rather than one single part. The RAC's owner survey also mentions engine control unit (ECU) failures.
• Fix: diagnose with a scan tool and trace the wiring rather than swapping parts on a hunch. A loose injector plug can be refitted and secured; window motors, lock actuators and control units are replaced individually.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5.
• Check when buying: arm and disarm the alarm, lock and unlock every door and the tailgate, run every window up and down, and check the indicators, climate control, heated seats and Bluetooth. Ask for a fault-code scan, and watch for ESP or engine warnings on the test drive.
• Evidence: RAC Drive's used review (owner survey); Carbuyer owner reviews; Honest John's Antara owner reports.

5. Broken coil springs, worn bushes and leaking dampers

Label: Inspection point

• What you notice: a knock or clonk over bumps, a car that sits lower at one corner, wandering on the motorway, or oily dampers.
• Which cars: all years. In C4R's analysis of 2024 MOT data, a fractured or broken coil spring was a failure item on 4.0% of Antara tests and an excessively worn suspension pin or bush on 5.2%. A further 12.7% had a worn-bush advisory and 8.4% had an advisory for an oil-misted shock absorber.
• Why: springs corrode and eventually snap, and corroded springs were flagged on 10.1% of tests on 2007–2010 cars. Owners in the RAC and Carbuyer reviews also describe leaking suspension struts, in one case both fronts at 34,000 miles.
• Fix: replace broken springs and leaking dampers in axle pairs, renew worn bushes or arms, then have the wheel alignment checked.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5.
• Check when buying: look at the coil ends at each corner with a torch, check that the car sits level, and listen for knocks on a rough road. Read the MOT history for spring, bush and damper advisories.
• Evidence: C4R analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT results for 2024; RAC Drive's used review; Carbuyer owner reviews.

6. Engine oil leaks, including the sump

Label: Inspection point

• What you notice: oil on the underside of the engine or the undertray, a burning smell after a drive, or the level dropping between services.
• Which cars: all versions. An oil-leak advisory appeared on 20.4% of Antara MOTs in 2024, about one test in five, in C4R's analysis.
• Why: the DVSA data does not say where the oil comes from. Honest John recorded a 2014 car whose sump leaked at 22,900 miles; the dealer removed both sump pans and resealed them.
• Fix: clean the area, find the source, then reseal or replace the leaking gasket or seal. On the car Honest John reported, the dealer had to take off both sump pans to reseal them, so it is not a quick job.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5.
• Check when buying: look under the front of the car on level ground for wet oil around the sump, the joint between the engine and gearbox, and the turbo hoses. Ask whether any oil-leak advisories in the MOT history have been fixed.
• Evidence: C4R analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT results for 2024; Honest John's owner report on a sump reseal.

7. Blown bulbs and lamp faults at the MOT

Label: Inspection point

• What you notice: a sidelight, brake light, number-plate light or dipped headlight not working, often without any warning on the dashboard.
• Which cars: all years. In C4R's analysis of 2024 DVSA data, the two most common Antara failure items were a position (side) lamp not working, on 9.8% of tests, and a stop lamp not working, on 8.3%. On 2011–2016 cars, a reversing lamp failure was recorded on 5.0% of tests, and number-plate lamp and dipped-beam failures on 3.5% each. Lamps and electrical equipment caused failures on 26.8% of Antara tests, compared with 11.2% for all cars of all ages tested in 2024.
• Why: the data records the failed item, not the cause. A bulb, a corroded holder, a connector or the wiring could each be to blame.
• Fix: replace the bulb first. If a new bulb does not work, check the holder, the earth and the connector.
• DIY difficulty: 1/5 for bulbs; 3/5 for wiring.
• Check when buying: walk round the car with a helper and check every lamp: sidelights, dipped and main beam, brake lights including the high-level one, indicators, reversing lights, fog lights and number-plate lights.
• Evidence: C4R analysis of the DVSA anonymised MOT results for 2024 (method below).

8. Open safety recalls: steering, ignition, fuel, starter

Label: Confirmed recalls R/2010/002, R/2015/113, R/2018/126, R/2016/264 and R/2012/095

• What you notice: usually nothing until the defect shows itself, which is why the paperwork matters.
• Which cars: the steering-shaft campaign R/2010/002 covers builds from 14/06/2006 to 31/12/2007. The ignition campaign R/2015/113 covers manual cars built 03/03/2006–18/07/2011. The fuel-hose campaign R/2018/126 covers right-hand-drive 2.0 diesels from model years 2007–2010, with no build dates in the DVSA file. The starter-cable campaign R/2016/264 covers Start/Stop cars built 01/11/2013–09/06/2015. The brake-fluid campaign R/2012/095 has no build window in the DVSA file.
• Why: DVSA lists a steering shaft that may not be properly joined to the column, an ignition barrel that can wear until the starter cranks with the key at LOCK and a gear engaged, a fuel-feed hose connector that can come apart and leak, a starter cable that can be damaged by heat, and possible wrong brake fluid corroding the ABS unit.
• Fix: free recall work at a Vauxhall dealer: reassembling the steering shaft, fitting a modified ignition cylinder, re-routing the fuel hose with a new single-use retainer and a warning label, reworking or replacing the starter cable, and changing the brake fluid, with a new ABS modulator if needed.
• DIY difficulty: not applicable; recall work is dealer work.
• Check when buying: run the registration through the GOV.UK recall checker, then ask a Vauxhall dealer to check the VIN for every open campaign. Be especially wary of an early manual car if the seller cannot show that the ignition recall was done.
• Evidence: the DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch recalls data, summarised in the table below.

Recalls (DVSA data)

These are all six Antara records in the DVSA recalls file, checked on 13 October 2026 and summarised in our own words. Launch dates and build windows are copied from the file. Two records, R/2018/126 and R/2012/095, have no build window. R/2016/264 carries a 2016 reference but a January 2017 launch date. Not every car built in a window is necessarily affected, so check the exact car by VIN.

Run the GOV.UK vehicle recall check, then ask a Vauxhall dealer to confirm completed and outstanding campaigns against the VIN.

MOT watch-points

What the 2024 DVSA figures say

C4R analysed 20,588 normal MOT tests carried out in 2024 on cars recorded as a Vauxhall or Opel Antara. The national column is the 2024 first-time pass rate for all cars, weighted to match the ages of the cars in each group.

In every first-use year from 2007 to 2016, Antaras passed less often than the average car of the same age. The gap was about 8 points on the original cars and nearly 12 points on the facelift. The figures do not adjust for mileage or for how the cars were used.

Most common recorded failure reasons

Each figure is the share of that group's tests on which the item was recorded as a fail. One test can record several defects, so the shares must not be added together. Lamps and electrical equipment caused failures on 26.8% of all Antara tests, suspension on 15.0%, brakes on 12.3%, and noise, emissions and leaks on 6.8%. For all cars tested in 2024, of every age, the equivalent figures were 11.2%, 8.8%, 7.0% and 3.2%.

Common advisories to check before buying

• Tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge: 23.1% of all tests.
• Engine oil leak, not excessive: 20.4%.
• Brake pads wearing thin: 13.3%; brake discs worn, pitted or scored: 12.1%.
• Suspension pins or bushes worn: 12.7%.
• Brake pipes corroded: 8.5%; shock absorbers misting oil: 8.4%.
• Corrosion is a bigger issue on 2007–2010 cars: corroded suspension arms were noted on 10.3% of their tests, corroded coil springs on 10.1% and a corroded sub-frame on 7.5%, against 5.7%, 3.2% and 5.4% on 2011–2016 cars.
• Minor exhaust leaks: 11.0% of tests on 2007–2010 cars, against 2.0% on 2011–2016 cars.

Method and limits: C4R calculated these figures from DVSA's anonymised 2024 MOT results. We used Class 4 and 7 normal tests and counted each test once. The pass rate is P / (P + F + PRS). Records were included when the make was Vauxhall or Opel and the model text started with ANTARA. Items recorded on fewer than 30 tests are not shown. These figures describe the tested cars as a group and do not predict the condition of any one car.

What to check before the test

• Lights: walk round the car with a helper. Side lights and brake lights were the two most common Antara failures.
• Suspension: look for broken coil ends, oily dampers and worn bushes, and on older cars for worn ball joints and split driveshaft (CV) boots.
• Brakes: check the pads and discs, and make sure the parking brake holds on both sides. On the facelift it is electric, so it should apply and release cleanly with no warning light. The RAC also warns that the large battery is not cheap to replace.
• Warning lights: an engine, ABS or airbag warning lamp is an MOT failure. On 2007–2010 cars these were recorded on 4.8%, 3.9% and 3.6% of tests.
• Exhaust: listen for blowing joints and look for sooty marks, especially on older cars.
• Corrosion: check the brake pipes, suspension arms and sub-frame. Owners in the RAC and Carbuyer reviews also mention corroding alloy wheels.
• Tyres: check the inner and outer edges as well as the middle of the tread. On a four-wheel-drive car, mismatched tyres matter for the transfer box too.

Read the full history on the GOV.UK MOT history service and look for advisories on springs, bushes, brakes, oil leaks and lights that keep coming back.

Buying one? Our checklist

1. Check the registration on the GOV.UK recall checker, then have a Vauxhall dealer confirm every campaign against the VIN, especially R/2015/137 on a 2.2 CDTi.
2. Confirm which engine the car has (2.0 CDTi, 2.2 CDTi or 2.4 petrol) from the V5C and under the bonnet, because the recalls and running costs differ.
3. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories on springs, bushes, dampers, oil leaks, brake pipes and lamps.
4. On a four-wheel-drive car, insist on four matching tyres with similar tread, and listen for transfer-box noise on full lock and at speed.
5. On a manual, listen for gearbox bearing noise, try every gear and check the clutch for slip. On an automatic, check for smooth changes when cold and hot, with no limp mode.
6. Start the car from cold and watch for DPF, engine, ESP, ABS and airbag warnings. Ask for a fault-code scan.
7. Test every electrical item: alarm, central locking, tailgate lock, all windows, indicators, climate control, Bluetooth and sat-nav.
8. Walk round with a helper to check every lamp, including the brake, reversing and number-plate lights.
9. Look underneath for oil leaks, broken coil springs, oily dampers and corroded brake pipes or sub-frame.
10. Ask for a service history that matches the mileage, plus receipts for any gearbox, transfer box, DPF or suspension work.

Running costs

• Vehicle tax: cars first registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017, which is almost every Antara, are taxed on the CO2 figure on the V5C. Using GOV.UK's current 12-month rates and published CO2 figures: Parkers quotes 160g/km for the front-wheel-drive 2.2 CDTi 163PS manual (band G, £275 a year), but Auto Express's 2014 review gives 167g/km for the 161bhp car (band H, £325). Parkers gives 170g/km for the four-wheel-drive 163PS (band H, £325). Auto Express gives 177g/km for the 184PS (182bhp) diesel (band I, £360), Parkers gives 196g/km for the original 2.0 CDTi (band J, £410), and both give 206g/km for the facelift's 2.4 petrol (band K, £445). Automatics and the earliest petrols have lower official mpg (Parkers quotes 35.8mpg for the 181bhp automatic against 44.1mpg for the manual), so they can fall into a higher band; Parkers' tax range for the model runs up to £760, which is band L. Check the CO2 figure on the V5C.
• Fuel economy: Parkers gives official figures of 29–44mpg across the range. These come from the old NEDC test, so expect less in real driving. Honest John's Real MPG users averaged about 75% of the official figure, and most Carbuyer owner reviews quote somewhere between the mid 20s and about 40mpg, with a few lower.
• Insurance: Parkers lists groups 20–28 and Honest John 19–29. Get a quote on the registration.
• Towing: the RAC quotes a towing limit of up to 2,000kg, or 1,500kg for two-wheel-drive models.

Sources & further reading

Official data and checks

• DVSA: Vehicle Safety Branch recalls database (data.gov.uk)
• DVSA: Anonymised MOT tests and results (data.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK: Check if a vehicle has been recalled
• GOV.UK: Check the MOT history of a vehicle
• GOV.UK: Vehicle tax rates for cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017

Reviews, reliability and owner reports

• RAC Drive: Vauxhall Antara 2011–2015 used car review
• Honest John: Vauxhall Antara (2007–2015) review, archived September 2025
• Honest John: Vauxhall Antara review and Ask HJ transfer-box answer, archived November 2019
• Carbuyer: Vauxhall Antara owner reviews
• Auto Express: Vauxhall Antara review
• Auto Express: Vauxhall Antara first drive (2011 facelift)
• Parkers: Vauxhall Antara (2007–2015) review
• Parkers: Vauxhall Antara engines and handling
• Parkers: Vauxhall Antara running costs

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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