Used car guide

2010 Vauxhall Astra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Vauxhall Astras, from 41,766 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

41,766MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Vauxhall Astras than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Engine oil leaks2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    28.3% All 2010 cars
    10.2%
    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.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    19.3% All 2010 cars
    11.4%
    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.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    14.2% All 2010 cars
    7.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Swivel pins and bushes3.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    3.3% All 2010 cars
    1%
    Rough price £120–£400

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

  • Link ball joint covers1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    5% All 2010 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Track rod end: 1.4% here, against 5.5% of all 2010 cars. Ball joint: 3.2% here, against 6.5% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    31% 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
    26% 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
    16% 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%
200930,829Suspension 52%
200829,688Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Vauxhall Astras registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score