Used car guide · 2003–2012

Vauxhall Astravan common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Astravan, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 23,441 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

23,441MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
3known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Astravan?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Rattle at idle (1.4 turbo)

    Cars registered 2010–2012 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2012 · 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

    Cars registered 2010–2012 · 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

Common Vauxhall Astravan MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 9.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    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.

  • Battery

    up to 7.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

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

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

Vauxhall Astravan MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Vauxhall Astravan did best (63% passed first time, 1 point below all 2012 cars) and the 2005 did worst (52%, 5 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201263%64% -1879
201159%62% -32,278
201058%60% -22,174
200956%59% -31,410
200854%57% -32,576
200754%57% -32,478
200655%56% -14,387
200552%57% -54,184
200452%57% -52,631
200350%57% -7444 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Astravan

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has any timing chain work been done?
  2. Has the body control unit been replaced?
  3. Has the clutch or gearbox had any work?
  4. Any recent work on the battery? (Flagged at MOT 14.2× as often on the Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Vauxhall Astravan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score