Used car guide

2011 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Vauxhall Astravans, from 682 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

682MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
10,700typical miles a year
9.9×the usual rate for steering swivel joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Vauxhall Astravans than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Steering swivel joints9.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    8.9% All 2011 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    16.7% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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 pipes2.1× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    12.8% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1% of all 2011 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.

  • Battery10.5× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    6.3% All 2011 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

  • Washers2.8× usual
    Vauxhall Astravan
    8.7% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2011 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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
    32% 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
    18% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Rattle at idle (1.4 turbo)
    1.4 turbo petrol

    A knock or rattle at idle on the 1.4 turbo usually comes from loose timing chain guide bolts.

    At the viewing: Listen to the engine at idle with the bonnet up.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra Mk6 common problems

  • Water in the body control unit
    All engines

    Water can get into the body control unit, causing non-starting, locking, horn or wiper faults, sometimes all at once.

    At the viewing: Try the locks, horn and wipers, and look for damp in the passenger footwell.

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra Mk6 common problems

  • Seized gear cables and clutch trouble
    Manual gearbox

    Poorly sealed gear cables can seize in cold, wet weather, and the clutch can fail to disengage. Fixing it means taking the gearbox out.

    At the viewing: Try every gear, and check the clutch frees properly.

    If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra Mk6 common problems

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010620Suspension 48%
2008678Suspension 57%
2007628Suspension 53%
20061,149Suspension 55%
20051,053Brakes 55%
2004638Brakes 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Vauxhall Astravans registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score