Faults:
A small leak developed in the brake servo. To save money, I asked a few friends who said that it sounded like the vacuum pump had seen better days. I replaced this, but this failed to resolve the issue. No garage I spoke to was able to find what the issue was, so I looked into it further, and worked out that the brake servo must be leaking. However, when I took the car to Vauxhall, they tested the car and still thought the vacuum pump was broken. I gave them my old pump, which they replaced, and this didn't cure the issue. They then replaced brake servo, which solved the issue. They hadn't seen an issue like this before and didn't charge me any diagnostics or labor for replacing the vacuum pump.
General Comments:
Apart from the brake servo, this was a very reliable and economical car, averaging 46mpg around town and up to 58mpg on the motorway at about 65mph.
With 197000 miles on the clock, the engine seemed a little tired and was noisy, but it always started first time, even on the coldest winter morning.
It's a huge car inside, easily seating 5 people.
The stereo needed to be better, but the reception was crisp and it was easy to use.
The interior was hard wearing, even at this mileage, there was no sign of wear and tear inside and all the electrics worked fine, but there was one squeaked that came from the dashboard.
I got the car from the leasing company my brother works for, and having seen the whole service history, the most expensive service it ever had was just over £200.
To sum it up, after the previous driver had driven the car for 170,000 miles in 4 years, you would have though he would get would want a different car, but he then hired exactly the same spec Vectra again, he too must have realized what a great car this is when everything is taken into account.
2nd Dec 2007, 11:59
If there is a rattle in the boot, then it could be the back wiper motor is not bolted on. It happened on mine, and it cost £2 to fix. I just had to buy 2 bolts.