VAUXHALL ASTRA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 42,906 MOT tests from 3,255 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every VAUXHALL ASTRA has the same fault.

VAUXHALL ASTRA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 568/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VAUXHALL ASTRA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VAUXHALL ASTRA.

VAUXHALL ASTRA (example)

Check the reliability of your Vauxhall Astra

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Fuel

Year

Reliability score

Avg mileage

Sample size

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	764/999Very good	81,222 miles	1,753 vehicles
Petrol	2019	785/999Very good	71,616 miles	13,360 vehicles
Petrol	2018	758/999Very good	72,977 miles	22,588 vehicles
Diesel	2017	673/999Good	78,687 miles	13,443 vehicles
Petrol	2015	714/999Very good	78,939 miles	25,500 vehicles
Diesel	2014	559/999Above average	81,581 miles	23,059 vehicles
Petrol	2014	570/999Above average	80,433 miles	26,495 vehicles
Diesel	2013	545/999Above average	83,112 miles	21,047 vehicles
Petrol	2013	549/999Above average	81,714 miles	21,821 vehicles
Diesel	2011	525/999Above average	83,782 miles	14,682 vehicles
Petrol	2010	516/999Above average	80,913 miles	18,102 vehicles
Diesel	2009	508/999Above average	84,504 miles	7,435 vehicles
Diesel	2008	451/999Average	82,226 miles	10,585 vehicles
Petrol	2008	435/999Average	82,832 miles	21,799 vehicles
Petrol	2005	418/999Average	81,506 miles	21,151 vehicles
Diesel	2004	422/999Average	84,455 miles	8,541 vehicles
Diesel	2002	474/999Average	95,291 miles	9,127 vehicles
Petrol	2002	424/999Average	82,115 miles	21,017 vehicles
Petrol	2001	441/999Average	82,137 miles	24,194 vehicles
Petrol	2000	457/999Average	82,554 miles	27,460 vehicles
Petrol	1998	521/999Above average	88,599 miles	5,608 vehicles
Diesel	1997	569/999Above average	108,752 miles	1,540 vehicles
Petrol	1996	591/999Above average	92,050 miles	2,740 vehicles
Petrol	1985	777/999Very good	81,402 miles	536 vehicles
Petrol	1984	750/999Very good	83,277 miles	870 vehicles

How reliable is the VAUXHALL ASTRA?

Based on 42,906 MOT tests from 3,255 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

3,255

MOT tests

42,906

Pass rate

77.7%

Median mileage

87,932 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VAUXHALL ASTRA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 656 out of 999.

Common VAUXHALL ASTRA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 8,954 advisory comments and 914 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,204 advisory comments and 1,819 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,569 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,757 advisory comments and 366 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,360 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 289 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 283 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 182 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

VAUXHALL ASTRA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	11	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	26	25	92%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2022	6	13	92.3%	Tyre wear
2021	22	78	84.6%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2020	39	185	84.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	76	430	84.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	142	989	83.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	257	2161	83.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	389	3697	81.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	248	2721	79.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	303	3808	78.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2013	317	4333	78.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2012	298	4376	77.8%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2011	190	3088	77.5%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2010	259	4392	77.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	112	2158	74%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2008	130	2660	74.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2007	83	1772	74%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2006	58	1230	75.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	52	1144	74.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2004	20	450	73.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	19	423	75.7%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2002	15	329	73.9%	Corrosion, Brake disc wear
2001	6	135	77.8%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1992	5	49	71.4%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1984	6	3	66.7%	Corrosion

What to check when buying a used VAUXHALL ASTRA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Buying a VAUXHALL ASTRA?

Common problems tell you what can affect VAUXHALL ASTRAs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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