Vauxhall Insignia Windscreen Replacement and Car Glass Repair
You might find the idea of repairing or replacing the windscreen of your Vauxhall Insignia to be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, it’s an easy problem to solve. The correct handling of this unfortunate ‘incident’ will ensure many more years of pleasurable Insignia ownership. The below discussion will aid in answering many of the common Vauxhall Insignia windscreen questions.What makes the Vauxhall Insignia a great car?
Designed in Germany, the Vauxhall Insignia has won 50 international awards and is an excellent all-rounder. In addition, Vauxhall is the second best seller of all makes in the UK.
The Insignia is available with engines ranging from 81 to 239 kW, and even the diesel engine versions perform well.
The car is practical. A handy false floor in the boot — excellent for the rattle-free storing of small items – leaves a flat space for larger pieces of luggage.
Vauxhall also fits an extra set of lights inside the boot, a helpful aid at night.
Other luxury and safety features include,
- automatic headlights
- a large, easy to use and accurate touchscreen Satnav, and
- comfortable front sports seats ensuring fatigue-free long-distance motoring.
The Insignia is stylish. Its performance, practicality, and reliability ensure its popularity in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Why did cracks appear on the windscreen of my Vauxhall Insignia?
There are multiple reasons for windscreen cracks, but every window ding is irritating, potentially hazardous and expensive.
We’ll discuss the origin of windscreen damage below and look into the sometimes random nature of these events.
Force Damage
Driving along (or close to) newly paved roads can put the windscreen in harm’s way. Contractors build road surfaces with a mixture of asphalt and broken rock. They test the stone for hardness, and it is hazardous to a windscreen, especially if you or the other driver are speeding.
The impact of these small pieces of roadside debris can create a chip and eventual crack in the windscreen. The angle and speed at which the rock hits the glass play a significant role.
This kind of damage is often a fixable problem and typically the most common cause of all windscreen-related problems.
Stress Fractures
The UK’s weather is not harsh, but seasonal change can cause temperature spikes. Temperature extremes due to icy winds and direct sunlight may cause an Insignia and its components (including the window frame and car glass) to contract and expand.
Although these tolerances are small, they may produce a stress fracture — a good name because both the windscreen and driver may suffer from the resulting stress.
Weather Patterns
Besides possibly causing stress fractures due to hot and cold temperature fluctuations, stormy weather also goes together with airborne debris. Hailstones and flying tree branches are but some of the damage a windscreen must endure.
Car Accidents
Every driver’s nightmare is a collision. It may be a slight fender-bender and some interaction with an insurance provider. Worst – the Insignia’s total write-off.
Even a minor collision can lead to the complete replacement of several glass panels, including all the required connecting parts.
Low-Quality Car Glass Repair
Poorly trained car glass technicians, worn-out equipment and non-OEM compliant materials can result in quality problems down the line.
Car glass panes and window frames that do not match perfectly will generate friction, form stress fractures, and cause a windscreen to shatter suddenly.
How much does a Vauxhall Insignia windscreen replacement cost?
Below are some of the factors affecting your Vauxhall Insignia’s windscreen replacement quote.
The year of production
The Vauxhall Insignia has been in production since 2008. As such, its parts are readily available, but cost and quality vary considerably.
A 2008 Vauxhall Insignia’s windscreen, including all the optional features, costs approximately £490.
A 2021 Vauxhall Insignia Estate’s windscreen, including all the optional features, costs around £1100.
Quite a difference!
The style of your Vauxhall Insignia
Late-model Vauxhall Insignia’s come in three body shapes: saloon, hatchback, and estate.
Although all three styles have their appeal, windscreen replacement for the models differs considerably. The following illustrates the price difference for windscreens across the range (including optional features).
- The 2021 Saloon £280
- compared to the 2021 Hatchback £1100
- and the 2021 Estate £1100
As mentioned, the replacement cost of a windscreen depends on the optional features list of the specific model.
What windscreen features does my Vauxhall Insignia have?
The Insignia has a host of technical features designed to make driving safer and more enjoyable.
Some of these features will affect windscreen repair and replacement costs due to the need for more sophisticated equipment.
It is essential to keep this in mind when choosing a car glass specialist.
Below are those features which function directly with an Insignia’s windscreen.
Camera
Cameras on the windscreen and rear window aid the driver with parking the car. Additionally, it can record evidence in case of an accident — helpful information should liability becomes an issue.
Noise reduction windscreen
This type of windscreen consists of an extra sheet of vinyl sandwiched between the glass layers.
The soundproofing properties of this added layer protects the cabin against outside noise (road, engine, and traffic), providing a comfortable and peaceful environment.
Rain sensor
Vauxhall positions a rain sensor behind the windscreen and the rear-view mirror. It activates the wipers automatically when it detects moisture on the windshield.
Heads-Up Display
The Heads-Up Display system depicts an image, incorporating all the pertinent information needed to operate the vehicle safely and comfortably, on the windshield in front of the driver.
Heated windscreen
Triple-glaze windshields have electronically controlled heating elements in the glass. They allow the safe discharge of heat in strategic areas of the windscreen.
This system supplies enhanced driver comfort and vision in icy and misty conditions. It also counters the previously
Vauxhall Insignia Fun Facts
- A D-segment large family car, the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia sells as the Holden Commodore in Australia and the Buick Regal in the US, Canada, Latin America, and China.
- This Vauxhall was the first production car with a dual function frontal camera for traffic sign recognition.
- The Insignia high-performance model is the OPC with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and the Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The Insignia OPC front suspension (HiPerStrut) reduces torque steer.
- As stated before, the Vauxhall Insignia has won more than fifty national and international awards. ‘Best Executive Car’ in the UK and Slovenia, ‘Best Family Car’ in Ireland (twice), European Car of the Year (2009), and best fleet customer vehicle in the UK, Austria, and Denmark.
Here are more Vauxhall-related posts:
Vauxhall Astra Windscreen Replacement Service
Vauxhall Corsa Windscreen Replacement Service
BOOK YOUR WINDSCREEN REPLACEMENT
Related Articles
Spring Maintenance: Awakening Your Car after Winter
As winter’s icy grip loosens, it’s time to give your car the attention it deserves. Spring marks the perfect opportunity for a comprehensive check-up to ensure your vehicle is ready to run optimally in the warmer months ahead.
Skoda Octavia Windscreen Replacement Service
When your reliable Skoda Octavia faces windscreen problems, it’s essential to quickly get professional help to ensure safe and comfortable driving experiences.
What are Windscreen Pillars?
Join me on a journey through the world of car design, where we’ll uncover how windscreen pillars and the glass house shape our driving experience, blending safety with beauty.
