Faults:

First gear selection difficult

Windscreen trim came loose

Drivers' seatbelt didn't recoil

Very low re-sale value

Air bag light came on for no reason

Handbrake tension problems before and after recall

Misfire from cold in damp conditions

Engine management light came on for no apparent reason

Poor quality plastic interior that creaks over poor road conditions

Body panel gaps uneven

Didn't start at all after week of winter temperatures (great end to a skiing holiday)

General Comments:

The car seems to have inherited none of the good features from the previous Cavalier. You have to question why, after many years of installing effective recoiling seat belts, Vauxhall managed to fit an ineffective unit in the Vectra which had obviously never been endutrance tested before going into production. After owning six previous Vauxhalls, all of which were good cars, it was the Vectra that made me decide to never own another as long as I live. It is fitting that the Vectra was the last car ever made at the Luton factory. I now own a 1994 Golf. Enough said.

Faults:

Cam shaft sensor failed and needed to be replaced at 50,000 miles.

Bad electrical connections on seat belt tensioner caused airbag light to illuminate.

Gearbox seals went at 52,000.

Central locking solenoid on passenger door needed replacing at 53,000 miles.

Engine management warning light illuminates sporadically, will stay on for a week then go off for a month or so.

Intermittent flat spot at high revs. When accelerating the car will not gain revs for around 5 seconds, then accelerate normally.

Steering wheel is badly worn after 57,000 miles.

Burns loads of oil.

General Comments:

This is a quick car with good handling and loads of toys. If it was reliable as well, it would be an absolute bargain.

It has cost me a fortune in repair bills and I don't trust it as far as I could throw it.

Seats are too hard and don't provide enough lateral support.

Boot is huge, but back seat space is tiny - only enough room for a suit and a briefcase...

I miss my '89 Ford Sierra 2.0 GLSI!

Faults:

Oil leak from crankcase seal. £ 285.00 (non Vauxhall garage)

Drivers seat feels loose on rails or mountings. Cannot easily identify what is worn.

ECU light came on -crankshaft and camshaft sensors replaced. £260.00 (Vauxhall)

Water pump bearings wore out - strain on timing belt caused it to snap. Top end rebuild required (done by self). £400.00 on parts.

ECU has failed whilst battery disconnected during rebuild. (cost not yet known - another review here suggests £500.00).

General Comments:

Generally I like the look and feel of the car however the faults experienced in 18 months of ownership are unacceptable.

This was an ex company car with reasonably high mileage, but a full and comprehensive service history.

Vauxhall spares prices and labour rates are excessive. This is a mass market car which should be much more economical to maintain.

Faults:

Crank shaft sensor failed - cost about £60 to purchase new one.

New disks needed about 50,0000 miles.

Cam-belt tensioners replaced at 30,000 miles.

General Comments:

Basically a much underrated car that thanks to one Jeremy Clarkson is now the butt of everyone's jokes.

I have found the Vectra to be both comfortable, nippy, economical with good road holding. In my experience far superior to the Ford Mondeo.

If they were that bad a "million" reps wouldn't use them, would they?