Vauxhall Insignia Owners' Guide
FixMyCar provides key information about the Vauxhall Insignia.
Ellie Dyer-Brown
Friday June 20 2025
10 min read
Despite being practical, good to drive, and offering decent value for money, the Vauxhall Insignia had a relatively short lifespan, with just two generations produced before it was discontinued in 2022 due to changing market trends.
This owners’ guide compiles key information about your Insignia in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly.
Vauxhall Insignia generations
Vauxhall Insignia A 2008-2017
The first generation of the Insignia, launched in late 2008, replaced the Vauxhall Vectra and marked a significant move upmarket for the British carmaker. With a variety of engine options and trim levels, it had wide-ranging appeal, earning praise for its comfortable interior and reasonable running costs. Notably, the Insignia A was named European Car of the Year in 2009.
A 2013 facelift introduced improved suspension to make the model more appealing to fleet buyers. Diesel engines were popular, especially the 1.6 CDTi, introduced in 2015, which delivered around 70 miles per gallon with modest emissions, making it a tax-friendly option.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Four-door saloon
Five-door estate
Key engine options:
1.4-litre 138bhp petrol
1.8-litre 138bhp petrol
2.0-litre 217-247bhp petrol
2.8-litre 321bhp V6 turbo petrol (VXR)
2.0-litre 118, 138, 161, 168 bhp CDTi diesel
1.6-litre 134bhp CDTi diesel
Vauxhall Insignia B 2017-2022
The second-gen Insignia adopted the Grand Sport name for the hatchback and received a much sleeker, coupe-inspired silhouette. It was larger but lighter, with more interior space and enhanced comfort. High-spec versions included IntelliLux matrix LED headlights and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Country Tourer variant was a raised, rugged estate with AWD.
A 2020 facelift introduced a refreshed grille, full LED headlights as standard, updated infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and revised engine options, including more efficient 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Five-door estate
Key engine options:
1.5-litre 138 or 165bhp petrol
1.6-litre 197bhp petrol
2.0-litre 256bhp petrol (pre-facelift), 200 or 227bhp (post-facelift)
1.6-litre 109 or 134bhp CDTi diesel
2.0-litre 120, 172 or 174bhp CDTi diesel
Service intervals
It’s generally recommended to get your car serviced once a year or at the mileage interval outlined in your owner’s manual. For example, this 2019 Vauxhall Insignia manual recommends servicing every 12 months or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Most modern Insignias have a service display on the dashboard that indicates when maintenance is required, including when the engine oil needs to be changed. The replacement interval can vary significantly depending on driving conditions.
How to reset the service light on a Vauxhall Insignia
Vauxhall Insignia A
Switch the ignition on.
Press the menu button on the left indicator stalk multiple times until you reach the oil life screen.
Press the ‘set/clear’ button on the end of the indicator stalk.
You will see a message asking if you’re sure you want to reset the oil life. Use the up and down indicator stalk collar to select ‘yes’.
Press ‘set/clear’ to enter.
The reset is complete.
Vauxhall Insignia B
Switch the ignition on.
Press the tick button on your steering wheel controls.
Scroll through the menu options using the up and down arrows until you reach the oil life screen.
Press the right arrow to bring up the options.
Select ‘reset’, then ‘yes’ to confirm.
Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:
Tyre pressure
What are the tyre pressures for a Vauxhall Insignia?
The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the Insignia on TyrePressures.com.
However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressures:
In your vehicle handbook/owner’s manual.
Printed on the sill of the driver’s door.
On the inside of the fuel tank cap.
Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information.
| Insignia model year | Front tyre size | Front tyre pressure | Rear tyre size | Rear tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 245/45/R18 100 Y | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 245/45/R18 100 Y | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
| 2021 | 215/55/R17 94 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 215/55/R17 94 V | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
| 2020, 2017 | 215/55/R17 94 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 215/55/R17 94 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR |
| 2019, 2018 | 245/45/R18 96 W | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 245/45/R18 96 W | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
| 2016 | 225/55/R17 97 W | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 225/55/R17 97 W | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
| 2015, 2014 | 225/50/R17 94 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 225/50/R17 94 V | 29 PSI/2 BAR |
| 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 | 225/50/R17 94 V | 35 PSI/2.4 BAR | 225/50/R17 94 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR |
How to reset the Vauxhall Insignia tyre pressure light
Resetting the tyre pressure on the Insignia B is easy because all you have to do is top the tyres up to the correct pressure - there’s no need for a manual reset. However, you must pay attention to whether your TPMS is set to ‘eco’ or ‘max’ in the options menu and adjust your tyres accordingly, as these options have different recommended pressures.
Engine oil
It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil – find out why in this guide.
The recommended oil can vary between different Insignia engine configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. 5W-30 and 0W-20 are the most common oil grades.
Your owner’s manual will provide information about the right oil for your vehicle.
Vauxhall oil specifications
Vauxhall specifies engine oil based on the engine type, age and emission control technology. For UK Vauxhall vehicles, GM (General Motors, Vauxhall's parent company before Stellantis) used a system called dexos to define oil standards.
| Specification | Used In | Typical Viscosity |
|---|---|---|
| dexos1 Gen2 | Modern petrol engines | 5W-30 or 0W-20 |
| dexos2 | Diesel and petrol engines, especially with DPF and catalytic converter | 5W-30 |
| GM-LL-A-025/GM-LL-B-025 | Older petrol and diesel engines without DPF | 5W-30 |
Vauxhall is now part of Stellantis, so oil specifications have started to shift away from dexos standards. Stellantis vehicles mostly follow the PSA B71 oil specifications.
What is the oil capacity of a Vauxhall Insignia?
Oil capacity varies depending on the engine size and model year. The Insignia requires between four and 6.3 litres of oil.
When topping up, remember to add oil gradually and check the dipstick to avoid overfilling. Too much oil puts more pressure on seals and gaskets and can lead to increased friction between parts.
Battery
The table below shows suitable batteries for a selection of Vauxhall Insignia engine variants. You can find information about the correct battery for your vehicle in your owner’s manual.
| Generation | Fuel type | Engine(s) | Battery type | Typical size (LxWxH, mm) | Voltage | Capacity (Ah) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia B (2024) | Diesel | 1.6 138bhp | AGM | 315x175x190 | 12V | 80 |
| Isignia B (2025) | Petrol | 1.5 165bhp | AGM | 315x175x190 | 12V | 80 |
| Insignia A (2016) | Diesel | 1.6 134bhp | Lead-acid | 278x175x190 | 12V | 74 |
| Insignia A (2016) | Petrol | 1.4 138bhp | AGM | 278x175x190 | 12V | 70 |
Things to consider when choosing a battery for your Vauxhall Insignia
Check your engine type and year. Battery requirements can vary.
Identify if your car has a start-stop system. If it does, you’ll need an AGM or EFB battery.
Match the physical dimensions. It’s important to choose a battery that fits your car.
Check battery specifications. Ampere hours (Ah) is a measure of capacity; cold cranking amps (CCA) indicates starting power.
Check the hold-down type. Most models use B13.
Verify compatibility. Cross-reference with your owner’s manual to ensure you choose the right battery.
Want to make your new battery last longer? Check out our maintenance tips in this guide.
Warning lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Vauxhall Insignia?
Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test.
Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic.
Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage.
Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide.
Vauxhall Insignia warning lights you might not know
Vauxhall brake pad warning light
This light resembles a circle with three dashed lines on each side following the curve. It switches on when a sensor detects that your brake pads are worn thin and need to be replaced. You don’t need to book a repair immediately because the warning light comes on before the pads become dangerously worn, but you should arrange an appointment at your earliest convenience to ensure you stay safe on the road.
Vauxhall automatic transmission warning light
The automatic transmission warning light looks like a cog with an exclamation mark inside it. It switches on when there is a problem with the transmission, such as excessively hot transmission fluid, or to signal that the transmission fluid is running low.
You should avoid driving when you see this warning light, as it could lead to further damage. Automatic transmissions are often expensive to repair and replace, so it isn’t worth the risk. If the light has been caused by low fluid, you can top this up yourself, but any issues more serious than that will require expert help.
Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test!
Common problems
Whether you’re already a proud Insignia owner or you’re in the market for one, it’s helpful to know what kind of problems the model experiences.
Our Vauxhall Insignia common problems guide explores this topic in detail, so we’ll just cover two top issues here.
1. Worn oil pump seal
The rubber seal around the oil pump in some Insignias can become brittle over time and wear out, causing an oil leak. Eventually, this leads to a drop in oil pressure.
Driving with low engine oil can cause severe damage, so it’s essential to check your oil level regularly and stop driving if you see a low oil pressure warning light on the dashboard. If you’re having to top the oil up in your Insignia more regularly than unusual, it’s likely there’s a leak.
2. Broken rear parking sensors
The rear parking sensor units are prone to water leaks, which can cause the sensors to fail. Fixing this problem is relatively easy and shouldn't cost too much – the parking sensor units simply need to be replaced.
It’s worth noting that not all Insignias come with parking sensors – this guide explains how they work and how to tell if your car has them.
Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice:
Top Vauxhall Insignia questions and topics
Do Vauxhall still make the Insignia?
Vauxhall discontinued the Insignia in 2022, partly due to declining sales in the D-segment and partly due to the push for electric vehicles. Used models are still widely available.
How many miles can a Vauxhall Insignia last?
Vauxhall Insignias can last for many miles with proper maintenance. Most models will exceed 100,000 miles, and some could even last beyond 200,000 miles. It depends on how well the car is maintained and the conditions under which it is used.
Parts such as the turbocharger, EGR valve and intercooler pipe will likely need replacing during the vehicle’s lifetime.
What does Service ESC mean in a Vauxhall Insignia?
The Service ESC message indicates a problem with the Electronic Stability Control system, sometimes known as the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). The warning message may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Unusual braking behaviour
Even if your Insignia appears to drive perfectly fine, you should still arrange a diagnostic test to determine what triggered the light. ESC is a safety system, so any problems with it shouldn’t be ignored.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's content manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.