Used Vauxhall vx220 review and buying guide (2000 to 2004): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Vauxhall VX220 should you buy?

Go for a VX220 whose 2.2 carries engine number 11065400 or higher, which puts it from March 2002 onwards. That's when the oil spray nozzle for the timing chain was modified, because the original was too small and could clog, leaving the chain without oil. On a car from 2000 to early 2002, you want invoices showing the nozzle was changed or the chain renewed, or treat that work as a job you'll be doing.

After the engine number, history counts for more than age. Lots of VX220s have come off on track days, and Lotus build quality faults saw some rejected cars sold again through auctions, so ask how the car reached the seller and whether it's been through an auction. One with a clear ownership trail, regular oil changes and no sign of crash repair is the one to buy.

Which VX220 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 2.2 16v petrol's big risk is its timing chain, which has been known to snap when the jet that oils it blocks. The root cause is a spray nozzle that was too small, changed from March 2002 (engine number 11065400 onwards), but dirty oil left in too long between changes has also been blamed, so frequent oil changes matter on every car, not just the early ones.

A chain that's short of oil shows itself as a loud rattle at start-up or idle, an engine warning light, or a rough, misfiring engine, typically between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. The 2.2's ignition control unit can burn out too, so ask whether it's ever been replaced and make sure the engine starts easily and pulls cleanly on the test drive.

What should you check when viewing a used VX220?

Get down and look hard at the aluminium tub, since lots of these have gone off on track days and a poor repair can sit hidden behind new fibreglass. Panels that look newer than the rest of the car point to a past crash, so ask what happened and see the repair invoice. No invoice for a repaired car means you can't know the tub underneath is straight.

Read the engine number and match it to the paperwork: an engine below 11065400 needs an invoice for the nozzle or chain work. Then ask for proof of the 2002 recall work: the driver's airbag on some cars could crack with age and fail to inflate properly, so it was replaced, and a small batch had brake callipers with bolt holes that weren't fully threaded, which were checked and swapped where needed.

On the drive, expect the steering to kick back hard through the wheel. That doesn't suit everyone, so try one on a rough road before you commit. Check the fit of the panels and trim too, given the build quality faults these Lotus-built cars had.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Vauxhall vx220 cost to run?

What do VX220 owners like about them?

It's an absolute riot to drive, and that's the whole reason to own one. The gearchange has a crude, mechanical feel straight out of a race car, and rather than being a flaw it's part of the appeal, making every shift something you notice and enjoy.

It's also more forgiving than a Lotus Elise when you push on, and the 2.2 gives it more power, so it's an easier car to drive quickly. Weighed against the facelifted Elise, that extra margin for error is what tips it the VX220's way, and it doesn't cost you the thrills.

• The VX220 offers a more forgiving driving experience than the Lotus Elise, featuring a more powerful engine.
• The gearchange provides a wonderful, crude race-car feel, enhancing the driving experience of the VX220.
• This car is an absolute joy to drive, proving a better selection than the facelifted Lotus Elise model.