Used car guide

2009 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Vauxhall Astravans, from 395 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 395 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

395MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
9,700typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Vauxhall Astravans than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    21.3% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    16.5% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Windscreen2.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    8.6% All 2009 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

By area

The share of 2009 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    44% 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
    37% 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
    34% 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
    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
    16% 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
2012246Suspension 46%
2011682Suspension 48%
2010620Suspension 48%
2008678Suspension 57%
2007628Suspension 53%
20061,149Suspension 55%
20051,053Brakes 55%
2004638Suspension 55%
2003115Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Vauxhall Astravans registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score