Used car guide

2004 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Vauxhall Astravans, from 638 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

638MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Vauxhall Astravans than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    39.7% All 2004 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.7% of all 2004 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    19.6% All 2004 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Battery4.3× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    5.6% All 2004 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    8.5% All 2004 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

  • Diesel smoke emissions5.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    4.7% All 2004 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.6% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 2004 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    55% 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
    55% 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
    42% 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
    33% 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
    27% 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
    18% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Vauxhall Astravan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011682Suspension 48%
2010620Suspension 48%
2008678Suspension 57%
2007628Suspension 53%
20061,149Suspension 55%
20051,053Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Vauxhall Astravans registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score