2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Engine oil leaks3.2× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  8% All 2015 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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 system3.4× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  7.8% All 2015 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2015 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 springs2.1× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  9.2% All 2015 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.6% of all 2015 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.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  3.7% All 2015 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.5% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Tyre pressure monitoring system2.7× usual
  Vauxhall Astra

  3.2% All 2015 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  24% 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
  14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  14% 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
  10% 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
  9% 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 2015 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.

• Brief loss of power with a metallic noise

  1.0 petrol and 1.6 diesel

  The 1.0 petrol and 1.6 diesel can briefly lose power with a metallic noise. On diesels, a faulty oil pressure sensor is one cause.

  At the viewing: Drive it for 20 minutes or more. Any sudden dips in power or engine warning lights are a reason to ask questions.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

• Front suspension creak

  A worn lower arm bush makes a creak over speed bumps.

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over a speed bump and listen at the front.

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

• Creaking clutch (1.4 turbo manual)

  1.4 turbo petrol, manual

  A vibrating clutch pipe can creak loudly when you use the clutch.

  At the viewing: Press and release the clutch a few times and listen.

  If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

  Source: Haynes: Vauxhall Astra K common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2015 Vauxhall Astra petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?