Opel Astra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Opel Astra car check
Is the Opel Astra reliable? We analysed 26,435 real MOT tests across 2,496 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Opel Astra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Opel Astra is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Opel Astra.
Opel Astra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Opel Astra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Opel Astra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Opel Astra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Opel Astra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Opel Astra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Opel Astra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Opel Astra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Opel Astra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Opel Astra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 96 | 71.9% | 33,561 | 57,786 | 102,216 |
| 2010 | 139 | 69.1% | 58,936 | 87,291 | 115,655 |
| 2009 | 122 | 72.1% | 47,379 | 65,850 | 86,526 |
| 2008 | 625 | 73.6% | 61,677 | 83,644 | 121,684 |
| 2007 | 441 | 70.5% | 63,371 | 95,013 | 126,626 |
| 2006 | 488 | 71.1% | 75,431 | 115,758 | 171,145 |
| 2005 | 487 | 69.6% | 63,654 | 91,551 | 136,572 |
| 2004 | 600 | 67.3% | 54,760 | 89,577 | 128,753 |
| 2003 | 2,399 | 71.1% | 44,105 | 70,011 | 98,823 |
| 2002 | 4,958 | 70.9% | 54,062 | 78,917 | 108,699 |
| 2001 | 4,039 | 68.0% | 61,403 | 86,031 | 115,517 |
| 2000 | 7,162 | 68.8% | 59,224 | 82,533 | 109,360 |
| 1999 | 2,110 | 68.4% | 63,251 | 87,795 | 119,098 |
| 1998 | 918 | 65.7% | 70,381 | 97,514 | 126,780 |
| 1997 | 290 | 65.9% | 61,462 | 105,776 | 166,701 |
| 1996 | 261 | 61.7% | 76,832 | 116,221 | 151,883 |
| 1995 | 182 | 61.5% | 86,079 | 116,276 | 161,610 |
| 1994 | 186 | 62.9% | 91,639 | 120,076 | 207,359 |
| 1993 | 161 | 65.8% | 77,461 | 94,538 | 148,478 |
| 1992 | 96 | 63.5% | 72,720 | 117,515 | 195,758 |
How Long Does a Opel Astra Last?
Based on 2,496 Opel Astra vehicles on UK roads.
Opel Astra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Opel Astra MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Opel Astra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.6% MOT pass rate from 625 tests
61.5% MOT pass rate from 182 tests
The best year to buy a used Opel Astra is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.6% across 625 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Opel Astra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Astra THIS CAR | 69.2% | 26,435 | 84,472 mi | 28 yrs |
| Opel Zafira | 68.5% | 30,915 | 93,196 mi | 27 yrs |
| Opel Corsa | 65.8% | 19,398 | 69,011 mi | 33 yrs |
| Opel Manta | 75.9% | 9,040 | 54,163 mi | 54 yrs |
| Honda CBF250 | 86.8% | 8,978 | 11,130 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Opel Zafira (68.5% pass rate) and the Opel Corsa (65.8% pass rate), the Opel Astra outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Opel Astra you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Opel AstraShould you buy a used Opel Astra?
The Opel Astra has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.2% across 26,435 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Opel Astra are brake pipe excessively corroded (1,737 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,212), and position lamp(s) not working (748). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Opel Astra owner drives around 5,852 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Opel Astra models stay on UK roads for around 28 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.