Vauxhall Astra
Registered from 1990 to 2026.
About this model
The Opel Astra is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) developed and produced by the German automaker Opel since 1991, currently at its sixth generation. It was first launched in September 1991 as a direct replacement to the Opel Kadett. As of 2025, the car slots between the smaller Corsa supermini and the larger Frontera subcompact crossover SUV.
From the Wikipedia article Opel Astra, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2010 1.6 petrol. 7,651 of 31,156 tests failed, 25%.
Better than 44% of 2010 cars. The typical one fails 24%, across 955 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 45% | 3,423 |
| Brakes | 36% | 2,747 |
| Lights and electrics | 26% | 1,972 |
| Tyres and wheels | 22% | 1,707 |
| Body and structure | 20% | 1,518 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 18% | 1,402 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 45% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 36% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Tyres and wheels — 22% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Exhaust and emissions — 18% of its failures
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 26% of its failures
- Body and structure — 20% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 29% of its inspections, against the 28% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 13% | 12% | 103 | |
| 20–40k miles | 15% | 15% | 997 | |
| 40–60k miles | 20% | 19% | 3,261 | |
| 60–80k miles | 23% | 22% | 7,117 | |
| 80–100k miles | 25% | 25% | 8,982 | |
| 100–120k miles | 27% | 27% | 6,406 | |
| 120–140k miles | 28% | 28% | 2,909 | |
| 140–160k miles | 28% | 28% | 966 | |
| 160–180k miles | 26% | 28% | 264 | |
| 180–200k miles | 31% | 28% | 71 | |
| 200k+ miles | 29% | 28% | 34 |
31,110 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.2 petrol · 129 hp · 1280 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.2 petrol · 1280 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.4 petrol · 1308 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.4 petrol · 1280 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.4 petrol · 1263 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.4 petrol · 1278 kg · 2664 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.4 petrol · 139 hp · 1285 kg · 2662 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.6 petrol · 139 hp · 1513 kg · 2685 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 petrol · 135 hp · 1532 kg · 2685 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 petrol · 114 hp · 1338 kg · 2698 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.6 petrol · 1430 kg · 2673 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.6 petrol · 1318 kg · 2687 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00381/22
A defect in the gas generator of the driver airbag can lead to uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments when the airbag is activated. This defect may increase the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00436/23
The front seatbelt pre-tensioner may malfunction, which can cause the driver seatbelt pre-tensioner not to be activated when the passenger airbag is locked, creating a risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00821/22
The curtain airbag may be improperly fastened. This could lead to that the curtain airbag is not properly deployed in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00894/23
Incorrect chassis bolting can cause the vehicle to lose stability, creating a risk of an accident and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01231/22
Defective door pull sliders have been installed on all four side doors, which may lead to that the side doors do not close properly. Door(s) may be open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01581/24
The propellant used in the driver airbag inflator can degrade when exposed to very high temperatures and levels of humidity. If activated after an impact, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to burst, and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0171/15
In the event that the radiator cooling fan is blocked, there is a risk that an electrical short circuit can occur. This in turn could cause damage to the cooling fan module and in a worst case could potentially result in a vehicle fire.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01877/23
A software error in the engine control unit prevents the malfunction indicator light (MIL) from switching on if the urea injector stops working. This can lead to higher emissions and poses a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
11 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.