2005 Vauxhall Vectra Elite review from UK and Ireland

Battery gone dead immediately after purchase, but it was replaced under warranty.

6 CD Changer was not working so it was replaced under warranty. It took dealer to 3 months to get the new CD-Changer from the factory (is someone walking from China with one CD-Changer??).

Dual zone climate control was not working as expected, so it was shown to the dealer and they did a reset of computer. After that it was acceptable, but still not as good as my old Avensis.

Handbrake recall done under warranty.

Now most recently one day, the alternator light on dash came on while driving, so got it booked with the dealer, and while driving there it broke down. Called AA recovery. Alternator was completely dead. This time it was out of warranty and the total bill came as £600 (parts + labour).

Rear brake 70% worn out by just driving 7k miles.. strange.

This is my first diesel car and the car is very good to drive, with all the high specification toys.

As being the top end Elite model it gets all leather seats, under seat heating, cruise, dual zone climate control, 6 CD-Changer, reverse parking sensor etc.

The cabin quality is quite good. It's all black soft leather. But I think it could have been more interesting.

The car is quite spacious from inside; guess it's because of the all electric things.

Strange electronic indicators takes lots of getting used to, but still sometimes I make mistakes.

The pick-up is very good and it is an excellent motorway cruiser. The car is quiet and wind and road noise minimum. Certainly it is lot better than my old Avensis where you can hear lots of tyre/road and wind noise.

On uneven roads surface the suspension is quite good, and I don't feel much coming in, which is at par with Avensis. Just don't try SRI models where you will feel your back broken out.

Fuel consumption is very impressive. On motorway run I get 55-57mpg using cruise control. Around town it easily gives 35mpg.

So overall this is a nice car with very high spec, good fuel consumption, comfortable ride, refined and nice quality feel inside.

It's only let down by the low quality components used by the Vauxhall/GM, or may be all these new cars which got too much electronics have got similar set problems? Don't know.