Used car guide

2003 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Vauxhall Astravans, from 115 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 115 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

115MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Vauxhall Astravans than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    44.3% All 2003 cars
    18.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    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.

By area

The share of 2003 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% 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
    57% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    21% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012246Suspension 46%
2011682Suspension 48%
2010620Suspension 48%
2009395Suspension 54%
2008678Suspension 57%
2007628Suspension 53%
20061,149Suspension 55%
20051,053Brakes 55%
2004638Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Vauxhall Astravans registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score