Vauxhall Tigra road tests and consumer car reviews

Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 Sport 2008

A fab car. No leaks. A1 heater. 40 mpg and a proper little hot rod through the lanes!

Vauxhall Tigra 1.8 16v sport 2005

This is for all the people that have wet carpets: I found the leak in my car was the seal around where the steering column comes through the bulkhead (behind the screen wash bottle). Vauxhall wanted £600 to fix it, instead my mechanic did it for £60. All he did was pull the old seal out and paint on a new flexible seal and my carpets not been wet since. Hope this helps.

Responses to this review

I purchased a Vauxhall Tigra 2006 on the 7/1/12, I had to return it to the garage the following day 8/1/12, went to get into the car and noticed carpet at the front and rear of the driving side absolutely soaked. Put a hose on the car to detect where the water was coming from, could not see any leaks. Did this before taking the car back to the garage they said they will get mechanic to check the car out. Is this a problem with the car? Been lent a courtesy car, think I want my money back and look for something else - Karen Hurst from Staffordshire

Vauxhall Tigra 2006

I fully agree with other reviewers, a nice car, but just made to use in dry weather. I got this car 7 month ago. The car dealer where I bought this car from is really far away from being honest, althought it is a very well known car dealer here in Co. Down. (First he sold me a defective car; breaklights not working and the roof made strange noises when it went down etc.) I went to him and told him about the problem of water behind the passenger seat in the Tigra. Nobody there was able to find the problem and they wanted to bill me £300 for stripping the interior with material costs on top of that. Pure robbery! I decided not to get the car fixed and instead our neighbour found the cause of the problem; water was getting in through the speakers. The problem is not completely solved, but we are at it and for less money.

Vauxhall Tigra 1.4 A/C Sport 2004

I bought my Star Silver 54 plate 1.4 Tigra in March 2007 with just over 8,000 miles on the clock and I can honestly say I’ve never had a major problem with it. I’ve recently just had a little problem with the passenger window not going back up fully, but sorted that out just now by taking out the fuses, cleaning and replacing them. I bought it initially after previously having an N Reg Tigra and loved the fact that you don’t see many of them on the road. I do wish I had waited and got one which had the same colour targa bar (i.e all black or red) but I was so desperate for one I bought the first one I saw and test drove!! Although I love the uniqueness of the Tigra, I will be looking to change it in about a year as I need something with a bit more power and better petrol consumption as I drive round more in my job. Overall, I love my car and will be sad to see it go next year, possibly getting a Nissan Juke or Qashqai.

Vauxhall Tigra Exclusive 2006

After driving numerous cars and all being different manufacturers, I decided to try the Tigra, mainly for the way it looked, what a mistake! It drives like a bag of spanners, the back end is way too heavy (due to the mechanics for the convertible roof) for a smooth pull-off with a 1.4 engine. The handbrake sticks after being parked up for a while. The car leaks on drivers side, even after being very careful to keep the seals clean and free of debris, I have just opened the boot to investigate where the water is getting in, only to find the carpets covered in mildew and sodden in the boot too. I am absolutely furious after spending the last 2 hours trying to dry it out and remove the mildew. I will never again buy a Vauxhall, they have blinded me with a car of good looks, but in reality I’ve got a very expensive skip! Vauxhall, you should be ashamed of yourselves, yet again the great British public are being ripped off.

Vauxhall Tigra Exclusiv 2006

I have my car 4 years now with 17,000 miles on the clock. I’ve had no bother with it at all other than a rubber boot that was needed when it was due its MOT. It is the 1.4 (Exclusiv) version and I’m sorry that they are no longer being made as I would buy another new one. I believe that the fuel consumption to be reasonable and although not the quickest car on the road it is suitable for my needs.

Vauxhall Tigra 1995

Cracking little car but whilst driving speed increases the noise inside the car becomes unbearable, to the point that whilst travelling over 40mph it is even difficult to speak to your passenger without shouting.....this is the first Tigra I have owned so advice would be welcome if this is common in the sport version or if further problems are due???? The noise is only noticable inside the car for some reason.

Vauxhall Tigra 2005

I would like to agree with the previous review as my Tigra leaks so much especially on the drivers side that it has a constant smell of damp. The boot and the roof now makes a loud embarrassing noise so I rarely use the boot and the roof. When the sun finally comes I will be embarrassed to put my roof down. Just to look at it, the cost is £60.00. How is it that the rain comes in so much that it creates a puddle? Surely this is a manufacturing fault and something should be done? Apart from this when the weather is good I adore my little sports car, if only it did not rain inside.

Responses to this review

Just to respond, me an the missus bought a Tigra twintop. Out of the 2 months we have owned it we actually had it 6 days, been with vauxhall since. The seals need changing every 4 years or it will leak. There is a common fault with the door sills at the bottom of the door getting blocked. My car is under warranty and so Vauxhall have to fix it or supply a new car of equivalent value mileage and year. Our roof makes a nasty noise everytime, it’s because apparently it’s not alighned properly as ours also leaked in the boot etc and smelled very bad. Ask your dealer to take it the the centre of excellence in St Helens and they will fix it. Ours is due back Thursday next week so we will see - Brad Beilby from England

Hi, just following up Brad’s comment, we’ve got a leaking Astra too - and live near St Helens. Is the centre of excellence the Vauxhall dealer on Knowsley Rd? - Nick Cook from Lancashire

I have had a leak too. My boyfriend has discovered that the car has been under sealed but in doing so they have sealed the bottom cill drains. So even after removing the bungs in the cill, there is still water in there. My car is drying out nicely now - Jo from County Antrim

My sister has a Tigra and the passenger side is leaking causing pools of water to form under the carpet in the passenger footwell. I have been told the seals are not under guarantee and the garage is not sure who actually specialises. Any feedback on how you resolved your problem would be much appreciated. Many thanks - Suzanne Whitehouse from Lancashire

Please talk to Trading Standards about roof seals. I had the same problem with my 07 Vauxhall Tigra. I insisted that the roof seal leaked - as it let water in - yet Vauxhall insisted that it was a trim (trim parts are not covered by them). The part is not fit for purpose, so that trim is actually a very leaky roof seal! Vauxhall’s problem, not yours! Once Trading Standards were involved, my seal was replaced immediately and without any problem - Jo Anon from Essex

Vauxhall Tigra 1.8 Sport 2007

Giving 2 stars because the car failed its MOT on steering nock/play!!!! I have had the car from new at 9k miles, yes 9k. It’s never seen wet weather, it’s here in Germany so all excellent roads, feel the car is only good enough to be used as a target on a range. Will I buy another one? What do you think? When it goes out we like to know we can go where we point the car. Support British, why?! Even the horn doesn’t like the dark.

Vauxhall Tigra 2009

Good car so far, just one major fault I have noticed that the body coloured bumpers do not match the the main body. I have had bumpers replaced but it looks no better, latest attempt from dealer was to paint bumpers to match, but there is still a tone difference. As I paid almost £18000 for this car I think that there is a problem with this aspect and they’re are not admitting to me that it cannot be rectified because it is two different materials. I wonder if anyone has the same problem? PS. It is now a discontinued model, that could possibly be the reason?

Vauxhall Tigra 1995

A great sporty car from Vauxhall. Great fuel economy on the 1.4 with rapid exceleration make this a cheap fun drive.

Vauxhall Tigra 1998

I’m happy with the car overall, it looks smart - and is nippy - apart from some of the body work its great but I feel it’s not very good on fuel. I will get 300 miles to £45 of petrol and I don’t drive very fast, I maybe accelerate a bit sometimes but not all the time. Does anyone have the same problem or know how they could help me? Thanks, please email rhysholland7@hotmail.com

Vauxhall Tigra 2007

I’m only giving the car a three (despite really loving it) because the bloody thing leaks like a sieve and yet no-one is able to find out where the water is coming from. Every time it rains the drivers side footwell and the area behind the seat are soaking. I’ve been told it’s over zealous car washers, parking on a hill, the direction of the wind (???). I know it’s a covertible and the odd small ingress of water unavoidable but right now I feel like I’m driving around in a very expensive fish tank!! The dealers have been very unhelpful. I certainly won’t buy another Vauxhall of any description as it seem to be a common fault they refuse to acknowledge!

Responses to this review

I agree entirely with your review. Bought a 2005 model and had problems with the passenger side door leaking on occasions, usually only during heavy rain. Revised door seals were fitted but a year later the problem returned. Dealer said out of warranty despite having had the problem originally after only 6 months of ownership. They wanted hundreds of pounds to replace all the seals(windows, roof and doors) to attempt to cure the problem. Other problems included knocking noise associated with steering, nut and bolts replaced under warranty. Had the car 5 years now and less than 30K miles on the clock and oil warning light came on today. Stopped the car immediately and was towed off motorway by the AA, could be just an oil pump failure but this could also have wrecked the engine. I too am put off buying another Vauxhall - Steven Mills from England

Has your problem been fixed yet? My sister has a Tigra and it is leaking on the passenger side. She has had the car nearly two years but has been told she is not covered under the three year warranty if it is the seal. Also the garage can not advise her who actually specialises in resolving these problems. Many thanks - Suzanne Whitehouse from Lancashire

Vauxhall Tigra 1.8 16v Sport 2007

I chose this car over its rivals because its a real head turner. Ride is fantastic.

Vauxhall Tigra 1.4i 16V Manual Air a/c 2007

I just love the Tigra, I previously owned the 01 model and decided it was definately time for an update. This Tigra beats the old one hands down but still retains it’s sporty personality and easy going drive. LOVE IT!