2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol?

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

• Engine oil leaks3.6× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  26.9% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, 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.

• Exhaust system2.3× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  13.2% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  14.2% All 2011 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 4% of all 2011 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.

• Fuel cap24× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  2.4% All 2011 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

• Coolant leak5.3× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  2.1% All 2011 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£500 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the coolant level is between the marks and look for dried crust around hoses and the radiator.

Common 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Suspension
  32% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  30% 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.

• Brakes
  29% 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
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol

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 Astra petrol

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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)