2011 Vauxhall Insignia SRi 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

It's an OK car

Faults:

Exhaust corroded, spring mount needed replaced, rocker cover gasket leak, brakes needing done, etc.

General Comments:

I have had this Insignia a good few years now, it is a great performing and comfortable car.

Good looking in silver. Common color, but a nice set of bigger alloys make it stand out.

1.8 is pretty quick and does about 38 mpg.

Electronic parking brake is a real pain to get used to, but no big deal now that I have had it a while. SRi model has plenty of kit.

Cheap to buy at this age and mileage, ideal for anyone who just wants a large family hatch/saloon to get them about in comfort. Avoid tatty high milers, look for a low mileage example with history (do not touch cars with missing history) and it will do you good for a few years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 2023

2011 Vauxhall Insignia Exclusiv 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice car for the money

Faults:

Basically nothing in the year I have had it, I got the car serviced upon sale and took a chance on a car with missing history (I got a great deal though, paid less than £2000) so cannot tell you much about it. Seems to be OK and looked after however. I think the history book has been genuinely misplaced. The brakes feel tight and many parts have obviously been replaced at the age and mileage. The engine is very quiet and smooth running.

General Comments:

The Insignia is a very smart looking car for the money, I like it. Mine is silver with alloy wheels, looks to be taken from an SRi model.

Exclusiv is a very basic specification, but has enough electrics for me. Seats are comfortable. Cabin is quiet enough.

1.8 petrol is a good engine, and with 40 - 50 mpg possible, I would recommend it over the much more common diesels. Fun enough to drive but nothing to shout about.

If you need a cheap family car, jump right in, I would advise against buying without history however - myself I am a mechanic and I knew the dealer that sold it to me and is trustworthy. Anyone else should demand a fully checked out car with history no matter what you are paying. These cars are generally reliable, but need looking after and can be expensive to fix as any car if things go wrong.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2022

20th Sep 2022, 09:14

Doubt the petrol version of these cars could get near 50 mpg. I have a diesel Insignia and it struggles for that figure.

Still, I wouldn't mind only 40 mpg with more reliability, which the petrol does offer.

In reply to 20th Sep 2022, 09:14

23rd Feb 2023, 15:07

No way would a petrol Insignia do 50 mpg. You'd need the diesel. Petrol engine 1.8 does about 38 on average, realistically.

Later there was a 1.4 petrol, which believe it or not had more power and slightly better economy, so is worth considering over the old 1.8 petrol.

I'd avoid any diesel in this car period. The DPF light always comes on and an expensive replacement is usually all that fixes it. Not exclusive to this car however, a real pain on all modern diesels. I can comment as I have owned both petrol and diesel versions of this car and know local taxi drivers who say much the same.

8th Oct 2023, 15:54

1.8 petrol Insignia does 34 - 36 mpg on average, review is crazy to claim 40 - 50 mpg from this engine; if you want that get the diesel as others have said.

In reply to 8th Oct 2023, 15:54

14th Sep 2024, 23:15

Same here, the Insignia is too heavy (1500kg or more). I had the same car and rarely got more than 33 mpg, the 1.8 petrol is not the best engine in this car. A bit more more reliable than the diesel engines however, that's its appeal.

With the same engine in the Vectra, 1.8, I got around 37 mpg, much better, but the Vectra only weighed about 1300kg.