1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Car rewired.

Engine rebuilt twice.

Cam belt snapped.

Central locking and alarm problems.

Rear windscreen falling out.

ECU replaced.

Broken down about 20 times, (at least).

Peeling paintwork.

General Comments:

Vauxhall very happy to sell you a car, then couldn't care less what happens to it once sold - every step is a fight to even acknowledge, let alone sort out the problems. This is my second Tigra - first one even worse! Was returned to Vauxhalls after a year. Wouldn't advise anyone to buy a Tigra, unless they enjoy the inside of their local garage!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th October, 1999

1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.6 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Tapits went at 17,000 miles.

Engine fault light appears occasionally. Vauxhall still trying to locate problem.

General Comments:

I drive it fast, handles fairly well, the steering is a bit funny but you get used to it.

Very comfortable in the front, the back is very uncomfortable for tall people.

Overall a nice car for 2 people not any more though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 1999

1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Cam belt replacement.

Gear linkage adjusted.

Blown gasket on the oil filter.

General Comments:

The car drives very well and hugs the corners. The grip from the front tyres is poor in the wet when accelerating hard from a stand still. To get the best from the car you need to work the gears keeping the revs bubbling at around 4,000. The dealer service has been excellent and although I have had some issue with the car on the whole I am very pleased with its performance and the service I have had from Vauxhall. I wonder if other Tigra owners have problems with notchy gears? I have thoroughly enjoyed owning this car and face a difficult task when selecting a replacement as choice in this sector of the market is very limited.

A great site, thanks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 1999

1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

I bought my Tigra 10 months ago and it has been back to the garage 6 times. Basically they don't know what is wrong with it, first it was the valves, then it was the electrics and then it was some wiring. I drove my Tigra back to the garage on Monday and left them the keys and told them I didn't want it anymore.. test driving some other cars!

General Comments:

Whilst they have been unable to find the exact problem all I can say is that the Tigra broke down every 6 weeks, it is extremely unreliable, although a fantastic car to drive.. when it goes!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st February, 1999

27th Mar 2001, 13:10

I own a Tigra blue 1997 its got 34,000 on the clock. I bought it from a good dealer but it has been back to the garage 9 times for the exhaust mounts, 1 for the faulty engine wiring which has caused me to call out the R.A.C 5 times in as many weeks!!!

Is there an overall fault with the exhaust mounting? please let me know as overall tigras are a good car.

1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.6i 16V petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Problems with poor paintwork after delivery. Parts of bodywork resprayed under warranty.

Problem with moisture inside the headlamp (supposedly a sealed unit). Headlamp replaced under warranty.

Problems with Cam "gear wearing" (dealers description). This was fixed F.O.C. by Vauxhall dealer despite the car being out of warranty.

Oil pump gasket failed and sprayed engine bay with oil. Nice! Fixed F.O.C. by Vauxhall dealer despite the car being out of warranty.

Radiator leaks at the fan switch. Was leaving nasty patches on my driveway. Oddly enough, Fixed F.O.C. by Vauxhall dealer despite being out of warranty!!

Now, the whole thing squeaks and rattles likes crazy when I'm driving along. This car is only 18 months old!

General Comments:

I get a little suspicious when dealers fix things for nothing. So far, the Tigra's been in to a dealer about five times, but I only paid once (and that was for it's 12,000 mile service). I reckon they know there are a lot of faults and that's why they fix them free - to keep the customers quiet!

In particular, the problems in the "Cam area" seem to be mentioned quite a lot by others.

Seeing as the Frontera gets a regular grilling and I've not had much joy with my Tigra, I've decided never to buy any Vauxhall ever again.

And as for Ford, don't start me on them ....

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th August, 1998

1st Apr 2001, 07:03

Get a Nissan mate! The most trouble free driving you will ever have!

26th Mar 2004, 03:49

Agree with all the rules.

1st Feb 2006, 15:20

I've just driven my 1995 Tigra home from the garage and guess what? The engine management light keeps coming on and the car slows almost to a halt then miraculously gains power at the last minute! I went ahead and bought the Tigra even after reading some of the faults on here, because I fell in love with it and just had to have one. I can see this is maybe the beginning of a love- hate relationship with my tigra. love the way it drives (when its OK!) and it looks magnificent. Any one had any luck at curing this problem?

8th Nov 2008, 05:53

I've got a P reg Tigra 1.6i 16v

Had the car since April this year... had a few probs with it!

Exhaust blew twice, radiator switch broke: (and now it starts bunny hopping along for no reason then suddenly cut out!!!

Seems to cut out when I'm stationary the revs drop below 1 and stalls so you have to sit there revving it!! Looks like I wanna race everyone!!

By the looks of it, it seems to be a common problem with these cars!!

Been a bit of a pain... BUT I LOVE IT WITH ALL MY HEART!! :D

And I wouldn't change it for anything!!:D.

1996 Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Cam belt broke but Vauxhall repaired, at their own expense including the cost of towing off the motorway, next day towing to the local dealer from my home and the rental of a car whilst mine was off the road for about a week, all of which totalled £3,500.

General Comments:

Although the above took several if not numerous phone calls to Vauxhall's Customer Services Department it was, see above, worth it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

1996 Vauxhall Tigra MTV 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Electric Windows Failed.

Camshaft Lifters Broke.

Knock Sensor cut-in eroneously.

Trim lifted from rear tailgate.

Wing Mirrors/Petrol cap colour faded.

Gear shift lever came adrift.

Engine Electric Man' Unit failed.

Dashboard control knobs fallen off.

Repeated engine electric faults.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve failed.

De-misters not effective.

Several 'general' electric faults.

etc...

etc...

etc

General Comments:

Now have had THREE legal actions against Vauxhall.

Over 20 recoveries from new by the AA.

DON'T BUY A TIGRA.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th March, 1998

18th Mar 2001, 04:35

I have owned my 1.6 Tigra Chequers now for over a year and a half and have had no problems at all. It looks and handles brilliant, I think reading some of the comments made speaks for itself, I mean would you consider buying a small coupe if you are 6ft+ or disabled?

I've seen the way some people drive their cars and where they dump them, no wonder they have so many problems. Of course you will get problems with any car, I've seen Mercs BMWs and even a Rolls Royce on the hard shoulder with its bonnet up.