Used car guide

1999 Vauxhall Astra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Vauxhall Astras, from 768 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

768MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
3,700typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Vauxhall Astras than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    36.1% All 1999 cars
    15.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Headlights2.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    17.3% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.8% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    16.7% All 1999 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    11.2% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 4.4% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    10.5% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Braking performance: 3.5% here, against 7.1% of all 1999 cars.

By area

The share of 1999 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023223Tyres 11%
20222,908Tyres 25%
20215,938Tyres 24%
20206,264Tyres 26%
201921,078Tyres 29%
201829,869Tyres 31%
201745,689Tyres 32%
201655,308Tyres 35%
201545,875Tyres 35%
201450,073Tyres 36%
201354,378Tyres 36%
201246,285Tyres 37%
201139,050Tyres 38%
201041,773Suspension 45%
200930,836Suspension 52%
200829,696Suspension 52%
200728,488Suspension 52%
200617,418Suspension 54%
200511,330Suspension 54%
20046,222Suspension 50%
20035,837Brakes 50%
20024,376Brakes 53%
20012,439Brakes 51%
20001,309Brakes 50%
1998444Suspension 46%
1997436Suspension 42%
1996240Suspension 45%
1995274Suspension 46%
1994201Suspension 41%
1993143Suspension 36%
1991101Brakes 24%
1990122Suspension 21%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Vauxhall Astras registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score