Used Vauxhall Antara Buying Guide

The Vauxhall Antara was the brand’s first serious attempt at a mid-size SUV, sold in the UK from 2007 until 2015. Developed alongside the Chevrolet Captiva, it offered a raised driving position, a comfortable cabin and optional all-wheel drive at a price that undercut the mainstream crossover establishment. It never troubled the Nissan Qashqai for sales or polish, and that translates into low used values today — which is precisely its appeal. As a cheap, roomy family SUV with genuine bad-weather ability, a well-kept Antara can make sense, provided you buy carefully and go in with realistic expectations of refinement and economy.

Engines and trims

Early cars offered a 2.0-litre CDTi diesel and a 2.4-litre petrol; the petrol is rare and, being thirsty and not especially quick, is hard to recommend. The 2011 facelift brought the better engine: a 2.2-litre CDTi diesel in 163PS and 184PS outputs, with usefully more torque and improved refinement. That later 2.2 diesel is the one to seek out, ideally in manual form, though a six-speed automatic was offered and suits the car’s relaxed nature if it shifts cleanly. Buyers could choose front-wheel drive or an on-demand all-wheel-drive system; the FWD cars are cheaper to fuel, while AWD adds reassurance for towing and rural use — the Antara’s decent towing capacity made it popular with caravanners.

The trim structure was simple: Exclusiv covered the essentials with air conditioning and parking sensors, SE added leather upholstery, heated seats and larger alloys, and late-run Diamond editions bundled popular kit at an attractive price. Equipment differences matter less here than condition and history, so prioritise the best-maintained car you can find over the longest spec sheet.

What to check before buying

Diesel Antaras used mainly for short trips can suffer diesel particulate filter (DPF) problems — look for warning lights, smoke on a test drive and evidence of motorway use in the car’s history. On all-wheel-drive versions, have the rear coupling and driveline checked: listen for binding or clunks on full lock, and confirm any fluid changes. The electric parking brake is a known irritation on this model, so make sure it applies and releases promptly several times. Elsewhere, check for oil leaks around the engine, confirm the air conditioning works, and test every switch — cabin electrics on cheaper examples can be temperamental. Suspension bushes and drop links wear on heavier SUVs like this, so listen for knocks over bumps. Given many Antaras are now high-mileage, a comprehensive service file, recent cambelt evidence where applicable and clean MOT history should carry more weight than cosmetic condition.

Running costs

This is not a modern, downsized crossover, and it runs like it. The 2.2 diesels return respectable rather than impressive economy — high 30s to low 40s mpg is a realistic ceiling, with AWD and automatic versions doing worse — and road tax on many versions is on the high side for the class thanks to elevated CO2 figures. Insurance sits in middling groups for a family SUV. Servicing and parts are reasonably priced through independents, though budget for consumables befitting a near-1.9-tonne car: tyres, brakes and suspension components wear faster than on a hatchback.

Verdict

The Antara is an honest, unfashionable SUV that now trades almost entirely on value. Buy a later 2.2 CDTi with strong history and it offers a lot of space, comfort and towing ability for very little money; buy a neglected short-trip example and the DPF and driveline can erase the savings. Choose on condition, not price.

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