2006 Vauxhall Vectra SRi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Severe water leak, EMU light returns almost constantly, constant misting of interior glass.

When I purchased this car I was delighted. It's a good looking and comfortable car which performs phenominally. Really a great design and fantastic drive.

HOWEVER, I bought the car in December 2006 (it's now Feb 2007) and since I purchased it I've only been able to drive it around half the time as there is a bad water leak which fills the dashboard and passenger footwell with water. This has caused the EMU light to come on a few times and the car to switch into "limp home" mode.

The dealer service has been awful. The first time they said the car was ready and to go and collect it, but when I got there (a 12 mile drive) they changed their mind and decided they'd forgotten to fix the leak and needed the car for another two weeks!! Having had the car back for a week I got in and found a swimming pool in the passenger footwell again so rung the dealer.. they asked if I was sure it was still leaking then said they couldn't take it back for a month as they were a bit busy.

Such terrible service and having lost all confidence in the car I intend to trade it in and take the loss. I could sue them for my money back (which they've refused) but that would cost more than the loss I'll take on the car.

Be really careful before you by any Vauxhall. Very nice cars to drive and look at, but badly put together and just awful service from dealers.

I've got the new shape vectra and have never had a leak, check your pollen filter is seated properly and the drain holes under the wiper linkage aren't blocked.

I have a 2003 Vectra SRi, puddles of water started to appear in the passenger footwell. On a thorough investigation, the problem was found. The rubber drain tube underneath the pollen filter had become blocked with months/years of debris, sludge and dirty water running down off the windscreen. This meant that rain water and wash water was not being drained away and had filled up in the pollen filter compartment, through the filter and into the footwell. A quick clean out of the drain pipe should solve this problem.

That’s right, I've got a Vectra SRi CDTi. I've only had it what 3 months now, and when I was washing it I always lift the bonnet and clean away any leaves, and couldn’t help but notice there was water sat under there, so I pulled the rubber strip, lifted were the water comes off the windscreen, and the rubber drain plugs was blocked with leaves. I ain't no mechanic, but if the water does not get out, it will go right in the heater and into the car on the passenger side. So my advice is to keep them clean and free from leaves.

Yes the dealers are dreadful, but I have a theory. As this recession deepens, customers will be thin on the ground. New car sales, fleet orders and servicing quiet. Vauxhall, Ford, Renault, Fiat etc etc are going to start closing dealerships, discarding staff and maybe slowly removing all the rubbish people that make a trip to your local mainstream dealer such a thankless pain. The mainstream marques have for too long been relying on a hardcore of rubbish, rubbish people who's only goal in life is an easy ride. They are arrogant, ignorant, and downright rude. They form a hardcore of old school motortrades people who still believe they are going to continue getting away with this nonsense. I know this will change now, and as people tighten their belts, the drifters, the jockeys, the free lunch Larrys will be left behind. It's happening as you read this.