Vauxhall Tigra (2009)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 3,112 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,511

£209/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,511/year to run. 10 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Vauxhall Tigra

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1796cc17 years old3,112 tests71k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,511

Per month£209/mo

Per week£48/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

72% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Tigras from 2009 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 15 years old. That's based on 3,112 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 70,656 miles.

Got a Vauxhall Tigra you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 models393rd of 555(bottom half)

Rank among Vauxhall models727th of 870(bottom 17%)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2009 models average-2%(74% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-12%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,656

Average miles

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2009 Vauxhall Tigra had 70,656 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Vauxhall Tigra?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2009 scores 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Tigra by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	72%	3,112	70,656 mi
2008	69%	2,428	74,610 mi
2007	69%	2,907	77,391 mi
2006	68%	3,079	82,871 mi
2005	69%	1,651	83,647 mi
2004	70%	416	86,044 mi
2000	71%	68	57,756 mi
1999	75%	88	57,631 mi
1998	79%	104	58,417 mi
1997	84%	75	74,363 mi
1996	78%	46	44,919 mi
1995	76%	41	50,369 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2011 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

75%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2011 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

75%

+3%

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

72%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2011 · 1997cc Petrol

£2,711/year

69%

-3%

Check a Specific Vauxhall Tigra

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra

The 2009 Vauxhall Tigra is a family car. Our records list a 1796cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 3,112 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 74%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 70,656 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Tigra owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2009 Vauxhall Tigra Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,511 (£209/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Vauxhall Tigra Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Tigras tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2009 Vauxhall Tigra

At 17 years old, the Vauxhall Tigra is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 79%.

What the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 615 MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Suspension43%
Same age: 41%
Brakes39%
Same age: 25% (fails on this more often)
Lights and electrics36%
Same age: 48% (fails on this less often)
Tyres21%
Same age: 18%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Vauxhall Tigra reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 17 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Tigra(2009)	72%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511
Ford Focus(2011)	75%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£283
Vauxhall Corsa(2011)	75%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£358
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£358
Nissan Qashqai(2011)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711+£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra

Is the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2009 Vauxhall Tigras ended in a pass, from 3,112 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,511 a year (£209 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

72% of 3,112 MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 393rd of 555 models first registered in 2009 (bottom half).

Which year Vauxhall Tigra has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Vauxhall Tigra has the highest MOT pass rate at 79% and the 2006 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra is 70,656 miles, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.