2002 Vauxhall Astra 1.7L Diesel · EF02 AAZ
2002 Vauxhall Astra (1.7L, diesel). First registered 25 Jun 2002. MOT valid until 16 Mar 2027. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 16 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- —
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 1.7L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
EF02 AAZ Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 17/03/2026
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
EF02 AAZ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Vauxhall Astra (EF02 AAZ) between February 2025 and March 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 17 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (8 issues), Lighting (7 issues), Suspension (3 issues), Steering (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 20 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner cil”; “Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Faded lens (4.1.2 (c))”; “Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Faded lens (4.1.2 (c))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution. While the
The primary concern is the structural integrity of the chassis. The MOT history explicitly mentions 'excessively corroded' inner and outer sills and rear subframe mountings; you must verify that these were properly welded and not merely patched. Check the quality of the repair work on the offside rear suspension mounting area specifically.
As a 1.7 Diesel, this Astra should offer reasonable fuel economy for its age, though maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average due to the vehicle's age and recorded corrosion issues. Insurance for this model is typically affordable, but the age of the engine may lead to increased wear-and-tear expenses.
Perform a thorough inspection of the sills and the rear subframe area, as these were critical failure points in February 2025 and March 2026. Check the nearside rear wheel bearing for noise and the handbrake for sufficient travel, both of which were noted as advisories in the most recent test. Additionally, inspect the engine bay for the oil leak that has been recorded in every MOT test since February 2025.
This 2002 red Vauxhall Astra 1.7 Diesel shows evidence of significant age-related deterioration. MOT records from 2025 and 2026 highlight multiple failures for excessive corrosion in the sills and rear subframe mountings, alongside a persistent oil leak. The vehicle required three separate test attempts in March 2026 alone to achieve a pass.
The Astra has a general MOT pass rate of 78%, with headlamps and tyres being the most frequent points of failure across the model range.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (EF02 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as EF02AAZ.
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLA 220 AMG LINE PREM D 4M A
NISSAN
QASHQAI
CITROEN
BERLINGO
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
FORD
TRANSIT
NISSAN
MICRA
OMODA
E5 COMFORT
VAUXHALL ASTRA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2002 model year cars.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.