1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol than on all cars registered in 1996.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  11.2% All 1996 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Number plates2× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  10.4% All 1996 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Sub-frame3× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  6.8% All 1996 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Track rod ends2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  8.5% All 1996 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.4% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Brakes pulling to one side2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  5.6% All 1996 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.1% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  38% 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
  25% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  22% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Rust and bodywork
  17% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 1996 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?