Used car guide · 2015–2021

Vauxhall Astra K: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Vauxhall Astra K did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 197,584 MOT tests.

2017best year: 78% pass first time, 0 points above all 2017 cars

2016weakest year: 73% pass first time, 2 points below all 2016 cars

Engine oil leaksthe weak spot that shows up in 3 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Vauxhall Astra K, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	Stands out	MOT tests
2015*	67%	72% -5	Coil springs 2.3× usual	45,865
2016	73%	75% -2	Tyre pressure monitoring system 6.7× usual	55,292
2017	78%	78% +0	Tyre pressure monitoring system 4.7× usual	45,679
2018	80%	81% -1	Headlights 2.1× usual	29,865
2019	83%	84% -1	Nothing unusual	20,883

Weak spots across the Vauxhall Astra K

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

Engine oil leaksup to 2.3× usual

Stands out in 3 years: 2018, 2017, 2016.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

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.
Tyre pressure monitoring systemup to 6.7× usual

Stands out in 2 years: 2017, 2016.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Headlightsup to 2.1× usual

Stands out in 2 years: 2018, 2017.

Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

Brief loss of power with a metallic noise
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.
Check: 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)
A badly fitted clamp between the particulate filter and turbo can let exhaust fumes into the cabin.
Check: 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.
Check: Drive slowly over a speed bump and listen at the front.
Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems
Creaking clutch (1.4 turbo manual)
A vibrating clutch pipe can creak loudly when you use the clutch.
Check: Press and release the clutch a few times and listen.
If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic
Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Vauxhall Astra?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.