Used car guide

2006 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Vauxhall Astravans, from 1,149 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,149MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)

7,700typical miles a year

2.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Vauxhall Astravans than on all cars registered in 2006.

Rigid brake pipes2.8× usual

Vauxhall Astravan
39.1% All 2006 cars
14.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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 absorbers2.7× usual

Vauxhall Astravan
21% All 2006 cars
7.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.9% of all 2006 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.
Engine oil leaks1.9× usual

Vauxhall Astravan
26.2% All 2006 cars
13.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual

Vauxhall Astravan
9.3% All 2006 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2006 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.
Battery4.9× usual

Vauxhall Astravan
5.4% All 2006 cars
1.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2006 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.2% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars. Brake pads: 4% here, against 8% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

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.
Brakes

54% 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.
Tyres

40% 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.
Lights and electrics

39% 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

28% 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

17% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2011	682	Suspension 48%
2010	620	Suspension 48%
2008	678	Suspension 57%
2007	628	Suspension 53%
2005	1,053	Brakes 55%
2004	638	Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Vauxhall Astravans registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score