2000 Vauxhall Vectra CDX review from UK and Ireland

A huge long list of problems including:

Faults at purchase:

CD/Stereo drained battery flat 3 times.

Windscreen made strange "cracking" noise whilst driving.

Drivers seat squeaks.

Computer reset button on the end of stalk flew out of the window.

Back parcel shelf rattled.

Seat belt light came on.

Various warning messages on computer display.

Ash tray jammed shut.

Steering wheel has a strange rubbing sound when turning corners.

Indicators refused to cancel (almost causing a serious accident).

Faults which have occurred since purchase:

Oil level sensor faulty.

Headlight Sensor faulty.

Camshaft Sensor Faulty.

Driver seat now rattles badly.

Locking wheel nuts seized solid.

I purchased the car from new and it cost me £23,000. The car then spent the next 12 months in and out of the garage at regular intervals (at least once a month).

The faults identified during the 12 months were all "fixed" temporarily (most have re-appeared), however in the vast number of cases, the fixing of the faults resulted in other damage by the dealer to the car. For instance, when the ask tray jammed shut, they freed it up, but managed to mark the trim which sits just in front of it. They promised to replace it, but never did.

When the computer trip button flew out of the window on a nice sunny day, they replaced the stalk, but in the process, snapped the steering cover fixing (the cover now sticks up on the left). Again they promised to fix it, but didn't.

When the CD player drained the battery, at first they simply charged the battery up and claimed they had fixed the problem. When it happened again, they made a modification to the CD player to reduce the drain, however the problem was never resolved entirely.

Recently, I broke down on the M3. Just prior to the car stopping, various computer check lights and messages appeared and then disappeared. The cause was a number of sensors which I was told all went wrong at the same time! Cost of repair was £600.

During it's 3 year life there have been so many faults, I could write a book about it.

I have owned Vauxhall cars since 1978. I will never buy one again. My advice to all those considering the Vectra - Avoid it like the plague.