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Ignition barrel issues are surprisingly common across a wide range of Vauxhall models. Drivers often notice the same symptoms: a key that won’t turn, a barrel that feels stiff or loose, or a situation where the steering lock seems to fight back. These faults appear both in older vehicles and in models that still look and drive almost like new.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the specific features of diagnosing and replacing the ignition barrel on different Vauxhall models — including Astra, Meriva, Combo and vehicles from 2013 and 2016 — and explain what affects the overall cost of the repair.
Many Astra owners report that the key goes into the barrel as normal, yet turning it feels heavy, restricted, or inconsistent. Sometimes it rotates halfway but fails to engage the starter; other times it won’t move at all until the steering wheel is jiggled.
The usual cause is wear inside the barrel itself. Over time, the internal wafers lose their sharp edges, and the barrel stops recognising the key properly. In some cases, it’s the key that wears down first, which creates the same effect — the key and the barrel no longer “match”.
Diagnosis for Astra models usually focuses on three points:
Replacement is fairly straightforward. It normally takes between half an hour and an hour, depending on the generation, and the new barrel can be built to suit your existing key so you don’t end up needing new door locks.
Ignition barrel issues on the Vauxhall Vivaro tend to show themselves gradually: the key starts feeling a bit stiff, then it needs a wiggle, and eventually it stops turning altogether. The Vivaro’s barrel is known for wafer wear combined with tension loss in the main spring, which causes the key to bind or sit unevenly inside the cylinder.
Technicians usually check whether the steering lock is engaging correctly, as worn barrels on Vivaros sometimes catch against the lock housing. If the cylinder shows uneven resistance or the key only turns part-way, a replacement is almost always the safest route.
Swapping the barrel on a Vivaro is normally a straightforward job, and the new unit can be built to suit your existing key so there’s no need to replace door locks or carry two different keys.
Ignition problems on the Vauxhall Corsa are just as common as they are on the Astra or Meriva, and the symptoms tend to look very similar. The most frequent complaint from drivers is that the key goes in as it should, but what happens next feels completely unpredictable: sometimes it turns smoothly, and other times it jams solid in the “0” position.
On the Corsa, the weak point is usually the upper section of the cylinder, where the spring components that control the wafers sit. Over time, these springs lose tension, allowing the wafers to fall out of alignment. When that happens, the key may refuse to turn, or it might rotate freely without engaging the starter. Another common symptom is the key getting stuck after switching the engine off, only releasing after several attempts.
Diagnosis begins with checking the condition of both the key and the spring assembly. If the springs have collapsed, the barrel will behave inconsistently no matter how good the key is. Technicians also examine the inner body of the cylinder — Corsas are known for developing tiny internal fractures that interfere with wafer movement.
Repairs usually involve fitting a new ignition barrel and coding it to match your existing key. Access to the barrel on the Corsa is slightly tighter than on the Astra, so the job can take a little longer, but it can still be done as a mobile service without replacing all the locks on the vehicle.
Meriva owners often experience sudden failure — the key works perfectly one day and refuses to turn the next. This is especially common on automatic versions, which is why the phrase Vauxhall key won’t turn in ignition automatic comes up so often.
In many Meriva cases, the issue isn’t actually the barrel at first, but the selector lock mechanism connected to the ignition. If the system thinks the car isn’t properly in “Park”, it will block the barrel from turning.
Another frequent cause is contamination inside the barrel. Meriva’s ignition housing is relatively open, meaning fine dust and moisture can find their way into the cylinder over time.
A typical repair involves:
Meriva barrels are sensitive to wafer alignment, so accurate assembly is essential for a lasting repair.
The Combo is known for two overlapping issues: worn wafers inside the barrel and a weakened spring mechanism. The result is a key that slides in normally but feels soft or unresponsive when turned. In worse cases, the key goes in but refuses to turn at all.
Diagnosis on the Combo focuses on the behaviour of the spring pack and the amount of free movement in the cylinder. If it rotates too freely, or locks despite having the correct key, the barrel almost certainly needs replacement.
Installing a new barrel can take from half an hour to a little over an hour, depending on whether the existing key can be matched or a new coded set needs to be fitted.
Many drivers of 2016 Vauxhalls report exactly the same problem: 2016 Vauxhall key won’t turn in ignition. Unlike older cars, where wear is usually the root cause, 2016 models often suffer from a partially seized steering-lock pin.
The key may enter smoothly but refuse to rotate past the first position. Sometimes it rotates too freely, which usually means the internal mechanism has started to break down.
Diagnostics for 2016 models typically involve:
Once the fault is confirmed, a new ignition barrel is fitted and matched to the existing key where possible.
Owners of 2013 Vauxhalls frequently describe the same symptoms: 2013 Vauxhall key won’t turn in ignition.
Models from this year used slightly softer metal for the internal wafers, which leads to accelerated wear. As the wafers deform, they begin catching on each other, causing the key to bind or stop moving altogether.
The problem usually worsens over time:
Replacement involves removing the old barrel, inspecting the degree of wear, and fitting a new cylinder rebuilt to match the original key — or installing a complete new set if the damage is severe.
Correct alignment during assembly is crucial for 2013 models; if done poorly, the issue will return.
The cost of replacing a Vauxhall ignition barrel depends on the model, the year, and the condition of the existing parts. Labour time can vary too, especially if the steering lock or selector mechanism needs attention.
Across the UK, Vauxhall ignition barrel replacement cost UK typically starts around £250–£350 for older models. Newer vehicles — especially those with more complex steering-lock assemblies — can reach £400–£420.
What affects Vauxhall ignition barrel replacement cost:
Dealers usually replace the entire lock set, which increases the price significantly. A professional locksmith can almost always provide a more cost-effective solution by matching the new barrel to your current key.