2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  16.9% All 2010 cars

  10.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 4.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Steering swivel joints3.6× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  3.2% All 2010 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2010 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.

• Diesel smoke emissions3.2× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  2.9% All 2010 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Battery3.4× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  2.4% All 2010 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2010 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.

Common 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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
  39% 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
  27% 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
  14% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel

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.

• 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 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel

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

1. Has the body control unit been replaced?
2. Has the clutch or gearbox had any work?
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the diesel smoke emissions? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2010 Vauxhall Astra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?