Used car guide

2008 Vauxhall Astra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Vauxhall Astras, from 29,688 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

29,688MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Vauxhall Astras than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    30.2% All 2008 cars
    12.5%
    Rough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    24% All 2008 cars
    14.8%
    Rough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    20.1% All 2008 cars
    12.2%
    Rough price £120–£300

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Swivel pins and bushes6.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    8.1% All 2008 cars
    1.2%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

  • Rigid brake pipes1.6× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    15.6% All 2008 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £100–£400

    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.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.3% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars. Ball joint dust cover: 1.2% here, against 4.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    44% 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.

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201920,883Tyres 29%
201829,865Tyres 31%
201745,679Tyres 32%
201655,292Tyres 35%
201545,865Tyres 35%
201450,065Tyres 36%
201354,364Tyres 36%
201246,276Tyres 37%
201139,043Tyres 38%
201041,766Suspension 45%
200930,829Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Vauxhall Astras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score