Used car guide

2014 Vauxhall Astra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Vauxhall Astras, from 50,065 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

50,065MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
7,700typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Vauxhall Astras than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    15.4% All 2014 cars
    6.8%
    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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    10.9% All 2014 cars
    4.2%
    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.

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    9% All 2014 cars
    3.6%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Position lamp1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    5.1% All 2014 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Washers1.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    3.7% All 2014 cars
    2.4%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Track rod end: 0.3% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars. Ball joint: 1.5% here, against 4.2% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    36% 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
    29% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% 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%
201354,364Tyres 36%
201246,276Tyres 37%
201139,043Tyres 38%
201041,766Suspension 45%
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 2014 Vauxhall Astras registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score