2009 VAUXHALL ASTRA1.7L Diesel

The 2009 Vauxhall Astra shows a history of reactive maintenance where faults are only addressed immediately upon failure. The most recent test in February 2026 at 159,993 miles indicates the vehicle passed after a failure just five days prior. This failure revealed significant wear and tear issues, including an excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage, worn suspension arm bushes, and a distorted road wheel. While the vehicle is currently roadworthy, the advisories for thin rear brake pads and a perishing offside rear tyre suggest that consumable components are reaching the end of their operational life and require immediate attention. The mileage progression is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 9,400 miles per year. However, there is a notable gap in testing between January 2024 and February 2025, where the car covered nearly 3,000 miles without an MOT. During this period, the vehicle developed new mechanical issues, such as a cracked offside front gearbox mounting casing noted in early 2024. The recurring appearance of worn tyres and perished rubber across multiple years suggests that the owner has historically driven by necessity rather than following a meticulous preventative schedule. Structural integrity is a primary concern for this example. In February 2025, the tester flagged corrosion on the nearside integral body structure sill. Although this did not yet compromise structural rigidity at that time, the February 2026 test confirmed that corrosion had progressed to the nearside front outer sill. Combined with a history of exhaust leaks and an oil leak de-registered in 2025, the vehicle shows signs of a steady decline in the condition of the lowerwork. A buyer should thoroughly inspect the sills and mounting points to ensure the reported rust has not progressed beyond the point of expensive structural repairs.