Used car guide

2015 Vauxhall Astra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Vauxhall Astras, from 45,865 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

45,865MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Vauxhall Astras than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    12.2% All 2015 cars
    5.4%
    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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    8.8% All 2015 cars
    3.4%
    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 system2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    6.6% All 2015 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    4.5% All 2015 cars
    1.6%
    Rough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Position lamp2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astra
    4.7% All 2015 cars
    1.9%
    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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.3% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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
    27% 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
    20% 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
    17% 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
    11% 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
    7% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Brief loss of power with a metallic noise
    1.0 petrol and 1.6 diesel

    The 1.0 petrol and 1.6 diesel can briefly lose power with a metallic noise. On diesels, a faulty oil pressure sensor is one cause.

    At the viewing: Drive it for 20 minutes or more. Any sudden dips in power or engine warning lights are a reason to ask questions.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

  • Exhaust smell in the cabin (diesel)
    Diesel

    A badly fitted clamp between the particulate filter and turbo can let exhaust fumes into the cabin.

    At the viewing: Sit in the car with the engine running and the fan on. Any exhaust smell needs fixing before you buy.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

  • Front suspension creak

    A worn lower arm bush makes a creak over speed bumps.

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over a speed bump and listen at the front.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

  • Creaking clutch (1.4 turbo manual)
    1.4 turbo petrol, manual

    A vibrating clutch pipe can creak loudly when you use the clutch.

    At the viewing: Press and release the clutch a few times and listen.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201920,883Tyres 29%
201829,865Tyres 31%
201745,679Tyres 32%
201655,292Tyres 35%
201450,065Tyres 36%
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 2015 Vauxhall Astras registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score