Many used Vauxhalls from the past few years include Intellilink.
It's a catch-all term for the company's infotainment systems. While it's now been superseded by the newer PureConnect setup, it still includes all the key functions you'd expect such as navigation and audio.
How does Intellilink work?
Intellilink uses an on-board computer to connect and present your car's digital features through the central infotainment screen. On cars that include built-in sat nav, it also uses a GPS sensor to accurately work out your car's location.
The 'link' part of the name highlights the fact the system works best with your smartphone connected to it. This lets you make and receive handsfree phone calls, and stream audio directly from your device. You can also stream audio directly from any device connected to your USB socket.
How to use Vauxhall intellilink
You use Intellilink exactly the same as most on-board infotainment systems. It's mainly controlled using a touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard, tapping or swiping the on-screen options you want to adjust or interact with.
Some of the car's physical controls will also interact with the system. You'll be able to use the physical volume controls on the dash and steering wheel, as well as skip-track buttons to change audio settings without using the screen.
In addition, to save you getting stuck in submenus, Vauxhall includes physical shortcut buttons with most Intellilink systems. These let you quickly swap between audio, sat-nav and phone connectivity with a single button press.
How to connect a phone to Vauxhall Intellilink
The easiest way to connect your phone to your car's Intellilink system is to plug it in using a regular USB cable. This will charge your phone's battery as well as allowing audio playback directly from your device through the car's stereo.
To make and receive calls through the Intellilink system, you'll need to pair your phone via a Bluetooth connection. Make sure your device's Bluetooth connectivity is turned on and visible, then visit the Intellilink's settings menu and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your phone.
Does Intellilink include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Early Intellilink systems don't include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but, from roughly 2017 onwards, these handy connectivity features were added. Make sure to check whether the specific used Vauxhall model you're considering buying includes it before making your decision.
To activate either function, simply connect your smartphone to the car via the USB socket. If it doesn't start automatically, you should spot that an icon for either the Apple or Android service should appear on your infotainment screen, which you can tap to get started. You might need to confirm on your phone's screen that you want to grant the car permission to connect.
How to update Vauxhall Intellilink
Considering Intellilink is a slightly older infotainment system, it's unlikely to get regular software updates. Nevertheless, it is possible to update Intellilink and you don't even have to go to a dealership to do so.
First, sign up for a MyVauxhall account if you don't already have one. From your account, you'll be able to download specific update software for your version of Intellilink, if any is available.
Download the update software to a USB drive – you'll need to use a drive that's been formatted to correctly complete the update. Connect the drive to your car via the USB socket and tap the on-screen popup to confirm that you want the update to go ahead.
How to reboot Intellilink
If you're encountering issues with your Intellilink system, you can often solve them by turning the car off. After you've left it for around 20 minutes, you can simply restart it and, hopefully, that will clear the problem.
To hard reboot your Intellilink system, find the 'home' and 'fast forward' buttons beneath the screen. Hold these down together for at least 10 seconds, this will cause the infotainment system to shut down fully. You can then press the power button to restart the system.
If you're selling your Vauxhall or still have a stubborn software issue, you can reset your Intellilink system to factory settings. This will clear all your personalised data from the car. You can find this option in the Intellilink settings page and it'll ask you to confirm the action before going ahead.
Find a great-value Vauxhall
Motorpoint has an enormous selection of used Vauxhall cars for sale, almost all coming with a fully featured infotainment system. To learn more about the modern tech in your car, check out our explainers for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
