Models · Vauxhall / Opel
Vauxhall Monaro and VXR8 buying guide
Vauxhall's Australian-built V8s: the two-door Monaro, sold from 2004, and the VXR8 saloon based on the Holden VE Commodore, sold from 2007 to 2017, later joined by a Tourer estate and the supercharged GTS. The LS V8s can run to very high mileages, and the checks are mostly drivetrain and chassis.
The versions
- Monaro CV8: 5.7 V8 (LS1), 329bhp, later a 6.0 (LS2); supercharged VXR500 versions also sold
- VXR8: 6.0 V8 (LS2), 415hp, from 2007; 6.2 V8 (LS3), 431hp, from April 2008
- VXR8 GTS from 2014: supercharged 6.2 (LSA), around 585hp; final GTS-R in 2017
- Six-speed manual or, on the VXR8, a six-speed torque converter automatic; rear-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential on the Monaro and as standard on the VXR8 from 2011
What to check on a Monaro / VXR8
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Cold-start noises and coolant hoses
What to look for: Ask for the engine not to be started before you arrive. Listen at a cold start for tapping or a light knock, and check it fades as the engine warms. Look at the coolant hoses where they run close to the cylinder heads for rubbing or leaks, and check the drive belt is in place and the tensioners aren't squealing.
Why it matters: Some piston slap and tappet noise when cold is normal on these engines and acceptable if it clears when warm. Coolant hoses can rub on the cylinder heads and leak. The drive belt can come off under hard driving, and squeaky belt tensioners are an annoyance rather than a danger.
Gear selection, clutch and differential
What to look for: On a manual, select every gear including fifth, sixth and reverse; if reverse is stubborn, try a forward gear first. On the drive, check the clutch doesn't slip, and listen for a clonk from the rear differential, especially from cold. Feel for vibration through the car.
Why it matters: On the Monaro, failure to select fifth or sixth means worn selector forks and a gearbox rebuild. The VXR8's reverse can be hard to engage, and its standard clutch is not the strongest. A differential clonk may be cured by better oil, but noise when cold suggests the differential is failing. Vibration can be broken propshaft joints.
Front suspension knocks
What to look for: On the drive, listen for knocks from the front over bumps and when turning. Ask whether the 2008 engine mount and anti-roll bar bush work has been done on a VXR8. Look at the dampers for leaks and the front tyres for wear on the inner edges.
Why it matters: A 2008 advisory recommended replacing the VXR8's engine mounts and anti-roll bar bushes, so front knocks should prompt that question. Suspension mounts and track control arms are consumables that can fail anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 miles. Monaro VXRs tend to wear dampers quickly, and noisy front strut top mounts need new bearings.
Also in the full guide
- Corrosion and water leaks
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Monaro / VXR8
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Vauxhall / Opel.