Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8, 122 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €509 | €1,890 | 68 | Petrol | Z18XE, Z18XER | Manual (5) | 2002–2005 |
At a glance
- Reliability: 2/5. Built 2002-2008, facelift in 2005. ADAC's breakdown statistics rank the Vectra C below average. Timing chains and gearbox antifreeze leaks are the main risks.
- DIY: 2/5. The timing chain, gearbox and steering column module need a workshop. ADAC prices the common repairs at dealer rates.
- Prefer: the 1.9 CDTI 150 hp, which ADAC recommends most, and the 2.0 Turbo, which ADAC calls the ideal petrol. Both need a service record.
- Avoid: a 2.2 or 2.8 V6 with no proof of timing chain work, and an automatic with a radiator leak or antifreeze in the gearbox oil.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.6 Twinport, Z16XE and Z16XEP, 100-105 hp: the oil cooler seal can leak on the post-facelift Z16XEP after 2-3 years. No other fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.8 Twinport, Z18XE and Z18XER, 122-140 hp: the oil cooler seal can leak on the post-facelift Z18XER. No other fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.2 direct injection, Z22SE and Z22YH, 147-155 hp: the timing chain can stretch and the chain usually lasts 120,000-150,000 km. The high-pressure fuel pump on the Z22YH can fail by about 50,000 km. See the table below.
- 2.0 Turbo, Z20NET, 175 hp: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.8 V6 Turbo, Z28NET, 230-280 hp: the timing chain often fails early, before about 100,000 km. See the table below.
- 3.2 V6 petrol (no ADAC code, 211 hp): with the five-speed automatic, the radiator can leak antifreeze into the gearbox oil. See the table below.
- 1.9 CDTI, Z19DT (100-120 hp) and Z19DTH (150 hp): swirl flaps (Drallklappen) are a weak point on the 16-valve Z19DTH. The alternator fails often. ADAC recommends the 150 hp version.
- 3.0 V6 CDTI, Z30DT (184 hp): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 3.0 V6 CDTI, early Y30DT (177 hp, no ADAC code): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.0 and 2.2 DTI, Y20DTH and Y22DTR (no ADAC code): some EGR valves fail, and ADAC lists the EGR as a common breakdown cause. Production ended in December 2004.
Gearboxes:
- F17 five-speed manual (1.6 and 1.8): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- M32 six-speed manual (2.0 Turbo): the bearings wear, and shifter pitching can signal failure. See the table below.
- F40 six-speed manual (1.9 CDTI and 2.8 V6 Turbo): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Five-speed automatic (Aisin AW55-50, also written AF23/AF33): the radiator can leak antifreeze into the gearbox oil. See the table below.
- Six-speed automatic (Aisin AF40, also TF-80SC): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- Easytronic (automated manual, 1.8 only, 2005-2006): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain wear | 2.2 petrol (Z22SE, Z22YH) and 2.8 V6 Turbo (Z28NET) | About 100,000 km (2.8 V6); 120,000-150,000 km (2.2) | No confirmed price |
| M32 six-speed gearbox bearings | M32 six-speed manual (2.0 Turbo) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Antifreeze in the automatic gearbox | Five-speed automatic on 2.2 and 3.2 petrol, mainly cars built to 2004-2006 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| High-pressure fuel pump | 2.2 direct injection (Z22YH) | About 50,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Alternator failure | All engines | Around 150,000 km | 690-1,630 EUR (Germany, 2022) |
| Steering column module | Cars with the CIM module, post-facelift CAN bus cars named | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Springs, shock absorbers and bushings | All cars | From about 30,000-60,000 km (bushings), about 100,000 km (shocks) | No confirmed price |
| Exhaust system rust | All engines | Not stated | 910-1,690 EUR (Germany, 2022) |
Before you buy
- On a 2.2 or 2.8 V6, start the engine cold and listen for a rattle from the front of the engine. Ask for proof of timing chain work. A rattle, or no chain history at 100,000 km on a 2.8 V6, is a warning.
- On an automatic, ask for a glycol test of the gearbox oil (ATF). A positive result means antifreeze has got into the gearbox, and the radiator leak must be fixed first.
- On a manual, listen for a whine or hum on the test drive. Feel for shifter pitching under acceleration and braking. Either sign means the M32 bearings are wearing.
- On a 2.2 direct injection, ask when the high-pressure fuel pump was last changed. A car with no record is a risk. Sudden power loss is the sign of this fault.
- Start the engine and watch the battery warning light. Ask whether the alternator was replaced. A light that stays on means the charging system is failing.
- Check every steering column switch, the indicators, the wipers and the instrument cluster. A scanner is needed to read the steering column module's fault codes. A dead switch or cluster is a warning.
- Bounce each corner of the car and look at the springs. Broken springs or worn shock absorbers are a bad result. Listen for knocks from the front axle on a bumpy road.
- Look under the car at the exhaust. Flaking or holed pipes are a bad sign. The usual fix is a new system from behind the catalytic converter.
- Ask an Opel dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns, including the handbrake recall. Ask whether the extra handbrake spring was fitted.
Running costs
| Operational | €236 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €176 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €121 |
| Total per month | €533 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €42 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 274
- 25th percentile
- €1,000
- Median price
- €1,800
- 75th percentile
- €2,500
- Median mileage
- 192,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2004
- Dealer share
- 24.1%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €2,149
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Timing chain wear
The timing chain drives the camshafts from the crankshaft. On the 2.2 petrol (Z22SE and Z22YH), the chain usually lasts 120,000-150,000 km, and some reach 200,000 km. The chain can stretch early. That can lead to major engine damage. On the 2.8 V6 Turbo (Z28NET), the chain often fails before about 100,000 km. The fix is a new chain. No price with a year is given in the sources.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems, kolesa.ru: how to buy a used Vectra C, kolesa.ru: chassis, transmission and engines
M32 six-speed gearbox bearings
The six-speed M32 manual has bearing wear, mainly on the secondary shaft. A failing bearing can make the gear lever pitch forward and back under acceleration and braking, and can crack the tapered roller races if the preload is too high. The gearbox runs above 120 C on the 2.0 Turbo. The revised part is a front cover of 62 mm in place of the 55 mm one. The sources give no repair price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems, kolesa.ru: chassis, transmission and engines, ADAC: Opel Vectra petrol used-car guide
Antifreeze in the automatic gearbox
On the five-speed automatic (Aisin AW55-50, also written AF23/AF33), a leaking radiator can let antifreeze into the gearbox oil. The problem is named for 2.2 and 3.2 petrol cars built up to 2004-2006, and the sources say the radiator was fixed from 2004. A glycol test of the gearbox oil shows whether antifreeze is present. The sources give no repair price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems, kolesa.ru: chassis, transmission and engines, kolesa.ru: how to buy a used Vectra C
High-pressure fuel pump
The 2.2 direct injection engine (Z22YH) has a high-pressure fuel pump that is weak. Kolesa.ru says it lasted up to about 50,000 km and can fail suddenly. The sources give no repair price with a year.
Sources: kolesa.ru: how to buy a used Vectra C, kolesa.ru: chassis, transmission and engines, gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems
Alternator failure
The alternator charges the battery. It is a classic weak point of the 1.9 CDTI. ADAC lists the generator as a common breakdown cause, mostly on 2002-2005 and 2008 cars. The generator freewheel and voltage regulator fail at about 150,000 km (kolesa.ru). ADAC's dealer price, including labour, in Germany in August 2022 is 690 EUR for the 1.9 CDTI, 810 EUR for the 2.0 and 2.2 DTI, 1,530 EUR for the 3.0 V6 177 hp and 1,630 EUR for the 3.0 V6 184 hp.
Sources: ADAC: Opel Vectra diesel used-car guide, gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems, kolesa.ru: bodywork and electrics
Steering column module
The steering column module (CIM) links the steering column switches and the instrument cluster. When it fails, switches and cluster functions go wrong. Kolesa.ru says the module failures are frequent on post-facelift cars with CAN bus, and that 2002-2003 cars with the XR-version unit should be avoided. The fix is a reflash or a replacement unit. The sources give no price with a year.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems, kolesa.ru: bodywork and electrics, kolesa.ru: how to buy a used Vectra C
Springs, shock absorbers and bushings
Broken springs and worn shock absorbers are named as weak points by ADAC and in TÜV reports. The TÜV findings also mention worn steering joints. Front strut bearings squeal and can wear out in dirt. Kolesa.ru says stabiliser bushings should be replaced every 30,000-40,000 km, and that the rear boomerang arm bushings usually wear by about 100,000 km. Original shock absorbers last over 100,000 km. The sources give no price with a year.
Sources: ADAC: Opel Vectra petrol used-car guide, t-online: aged Vectra C quirks, AUTO ZEITUNG: buying a used Vectra C, kolesa.ru: chassis, transmission and engines
Exhaust system rust
Exhaust systems rust, and sources call them weak. ADAC's dealer price for a full exhaust after the catalytic converter in Germany in August 2022 runs from 910 EUR to 1,690 EUR, depending on the engine.
Sources: ADAC: Opel Vectra diesel used-car guide, ADAC: Opel Vectra petrol used-car guide, t-online: aged Vectra C quirks, AUTO ZEITUNG: buying a used Vectra C
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany, about 166,300 cars (ADAC, t-online, gebrauchtwagenberater) | not given | 2002-2007 (model years) | Campaign dated February 2009. The handbrake pawl may not engage, and the lever can release suddenly. The free fix is an extra spring in the handbrake lever, started October 2008. |
Maintenance
- Radiator and gearbox oil: a radiator leak puts antifreeze into the automatic gearbox. Fix leaks at once and ask for a glycol test of the gearbox oil.
- Stabiliser bushings: replace them every 30,000-40,000 km. Check the rear arm bushings at about 100,000 km.
- Handbrake: check that the 2002-2007 cars have the extra handbrake lever spring.
Sources
English
No English source is used on this page.
German
- ADAC: Opel Vectra diesel used-car guide
- ADAC: Opel Vectra petrol used-car guide
- ADAC PDF: Opel Vectra petrol 2002-2008
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Vectra C problems
- t-online: aged Vectra C quirks
- AUTO ZEITUNG: buying a used Vectra C