Vauxhall Astra common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Vauxhall Astra at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 698,914 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Astra in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction): recorded on 3% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyre pressure monitoring system (malfunctioning or obviously inoperative) (9.1×); exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases) (3.9×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.2×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Astra fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Vauxhall Astra
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Vauxhall Astra than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3% | 0.2% | 15× | 2,471 |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.2% | 0.9% | 9.1× | 487 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.9% | 1.5% | 3.9× | 44,367 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.2% | 1% | 3.2× | 49,889 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 8.2% | 2.7% | 3× | 35,649 |
| Coil spring: corroded | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 6.4% | 2% | 3.2× | 3,107 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 1998–2000 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.3% | 1.7% | 3.7× | 853 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 1.4% | 2.4× | 36,047 |
Vauxhall Astra by mileage (2015–2017 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 5,045 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (3%, 1.5×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 31,189 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (16%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (14%, 1.8×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 49,889 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (3.2%, 3.2×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 36,359 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (4.5%, 3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 17,094 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive (5%, 2.4×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6,906 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative (4.3%, 4.3×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 2,969 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative (5.5%, 5.5×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 1,222 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative (5.3%, 5.3×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 976 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative (7.3%, 6.6×) |
Vauxhall Astra by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 363 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3×) |
| 1997 | 631 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (1.9×) |
| 1998 | 670 | Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.5×) |
| 1999 | 1,362 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.7×) |
| 2000 | 2,221 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.3×) |
| 2001 | 4,075 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.4×) |
| 2002 | 7,001 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.9×) |
| 2003 | 9,107 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.8×) |
| 2004 | 10,320 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3×) |
| 2005 | 19,497 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.6×) |
| 2006 | 28,333 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.2×) |
| 2007 | 45,055 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3×) |
| 2008 | 44,427 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.2×) |
| 2009 | 42,161 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.9×) |
| 2010 | 56,175 | Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.1×) |
| 2011 | 48,737 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2012 | 54,034 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.7×) |
| 2013 | 59,860 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.4×) |
| 2014 | 53,697 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.3×) |
| 2015 | 48,158 | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5.7×) |
| 2016 | 56,900 | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.6×) |
| 2017 | 46,591 | Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (9.1×) |
| 2018 | 30,225 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.4×) |
| 2019 | 21,527 | Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2020 | 6,391 | Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2021 | 202 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Vauxhall Astra?
In 698,914 UK MOT tests of the Vauxhall Astra in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction): recorded on 3% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyre pressure monitoring system (malfunctioning or obviously inoperative) (9.1×); exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases) (3.9×); engine oil leaks (leak, but not excessive) (3.2×). The most common reasons a Vauxhall Astra fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect).
Why do Vauxhall Astras fail the MOT?
Across 698,914 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Vauxhall Astra were coil spring (fractured or broken) (8.4% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (3.6% of tests); headlamp aim (projected beam image is obviously incorrect) (8.2% of tests).
At what mileage do Vauxhall Astra problems start?
The clearest Vauxhall Astra-specific issue, malfunction indicator lamp (inoperative or indicates a malfunction), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2020–2022 cars (3% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this Vauxhall Astra data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 698,914 tests of the Vauxhall Astra. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.