Vauxhall Astra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vauxhall Astra car check
Is the Vauxhall Astra reliable? We analysed 25,288,868 real MOT tests across 2,125,241 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vauxhall Astra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vauxhall 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 coil spring broken. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vauxhall Astra.
Vauxhall Astra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vauxhall Astra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vauxhall Astra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vauxhall Astra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vauxhall Astra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vauxhall Astra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vauxhall Astra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vauxhall Astra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vauxhall Astra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vauxhall Astra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,306 | 88.8% | 20,302 | 33,290 | 43,868 |
| 2020 | 9,255 | 88.4% | 16,615 | 25,862 | 37,527 |
| 2019 | 106,423 | 86.6% | 22,507 | 34,822 | 50,736 |
| 2018 | 189,087 | 85.4% | 26,788 | 40,165 | 57,749 |
| 2017 | 364,176 | 85.3% | 30,092 | 45,434 | 65,225 |
| 2016 | 497,231 | 83.7% | 32,685 | 48,998 | 69,825 |
| 2015 | 504,030 | 80.3% | 35,608 | 53,669 | 76,413 |
| 2014 | 648,142 | 78.5% | 38,695 | 58,392 | 82,490 |
| 2013 | 814,773 | 78.5% | 41,979 | 63,601 | 89,565 |
| 2012 | 840,173 | 77.2% | 44,638 | 67,799 | 94,890 |
| 2011 | 878,258 | 76.5% | 45,853 | 70,389 | 98,127 |
| 2010 | 1,185,479 | 75.6% | 45,220 | 69,130 | 95,592 |
| 2009 | 1,067,678 | 73.1% | 45,142 | 69,636 | 97,455 |
| 2008 | 1,469,114 | 73.2% | 49,557 | 75,324 | 104,045 |
| 2007 | 1,898,804 | 72.8% | 49,932 | 76,192 | 105,069 |
| 2006 | 1,664,504 | 72.2% | 49,379 | 75,271 | 103,226 |
| 2005 | 1,682,879 | 71.4% | 49,330 | 75,092 | 103,238 |
| 2004 | 1,341,589 | 70.7% | 48,004 | 73,048 | 101,181 |
| 2003 | 1,649,221 | 70.2% | 49,237 | 74,512 | 103,666 |
| 2002 | 1,641,155 | 69.6% | 54,268 | 79,020 | 107,552 |
How Long Does a Vauxhall Astra Last?
Based on 2,125,241 Vauxhall Astra vehicles on UK roads.
Vauxhall Astra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vauxhall 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 Vauxhall Astra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
88.8% MOT pass rate from 4,306 tests
61.7% MOT pass rate from 41,108 tests
The best year to buy a used Vauxhall Astra is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.8% across 4,306 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vauxhall Astra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Astra THIS CAR | 71.9% | 25,288,868 | 76,280 mi | 34 yrs |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 69.7% | 26,893,546 | 58,908 mi | 33 yrs |
| Vauxhall Zafira | 71.9% | 8,488,627 | 75,062 mi | 27 yrs |
| Vauxhall Vectra | 67.2% | 7,582,833 | 90,544 mi | 30 yrs |
| Honda Civic | 73.7% | 9,391,580 | 74,987 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Vauxhall Corsa (69.7% pass rate) and the Vauxhall Zafira (71.9% pass rate), the Vauxhall Astra sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Vauxhall 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 Vauxhall AstraShould you buy a used Vauxhall Astra?
The Vauxhall Astra has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.9% across 25,288,868 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Vauxhall Astra are brake pipe excessively corroded (1,048,496 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (953,502), and coil spring broken (442,020). 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 Vauxhall Astra owner drives around 6,421 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 Vauxhall Astra models stay on UK roads for around 34 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.