2011 Vauxhall Astravan: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Vauxhall Astravan?

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

• Steering swivel joints9.6× usual
  Vauxhall Astravan

  6.7% All 2011 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% 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 leaks1.8× usual
  Vauxhall Astravan

  13.4% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, 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.

• Battery12× usual
  Vauxhall Astravan

  6% All 2011 cars

  0.5%

  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

  8.3% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 3% 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.

• Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
  Vauxhall Astravan

  10% All 2011 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, 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.

Common 2011 Vauxhall Astravan MOT failures and advisories

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
  42% 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
  38% 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
  36% 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
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 Vauxhall Astravan

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.6× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the battery? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astravan as on other cars the same age.)