2008 Vauxhall Astra 1.8L Petrol · FT08 AEW
2008 Vauxhall Astra (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Jul 2008. Recorded mileage 103,260 miles. MOT expired on 11 Sept 2026. Taxed until 01 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Lincoln
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 11 Sept 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Mar 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 103,260 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
FT08 AEW Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 29/08/2025
- 103,260 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (7 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
FT08 AEW 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 2008 Vauxhall Astra (FT08 AEW) between July 2024 and August 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 29 August 2025 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: Lighting (7 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 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 Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect bulb in wrong (4.1.2 (c))”; “Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”.
FT08 AEW Mileage History
- 02/07/202493,561 mi
- 06/09/202493,563 mi+2 mi
- 13/09/202493,564 mi+1 mi
- 29/08/2025103,260 mi+9,696 mi
- 29/08/2025103,260 mi
Average of roughly 8,373 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
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.
Known faults for Vauxhall Astra H
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution due to a pattern of
When viewing this specific Astra, prioritize checking the service history to see if the issues causing the 2024 and 2025 MOT failures were addressed with parts or merely quick fixes. Given the 1.8L petrol engine, ensure the cooling system and timing belt intervals have been managed, as these are critical for this engine size.
Negotiate based on the recent failure history. Even though it passed in August 2025, the fact that it failed twice in 2024 and once in 2025 indicates that items are frequently falling below the required standard. Ask for receipts for any work carried out following the July 2024 and August 2025 failures.
Running costs for this 1796cc petrol Astra will be moderate. As a 2008 model, it will likely fall into a mid-range insurance group and tax band, though exact figures depend on the specific trim level. Fuel economy will be typical for a non-turbocharged 1.8L engine of this era.
Maintenance costs should be budgeted for regularly, especially regarding consumables. Given the aggregate data for this model, you should expect to budget for frequent tyre replacements and headlamp maintenance, which are common failure points for the Astra range.
Inspect the exterior lighting thoroughly, as headlamps are a top failure reason for this model. Check the condition and tread depth of all tyres, as these have been noted as frequent failure points in the wider Astra data.
Because this vehicle has seen three failures in the last two years, pay close attention to any warning lights on the dashboard, particularly regarding engine management. Ensure that the recent 'no defects' pass in August 2025 wasn't just a result of a last-minute repair to pass the test.
This 2008 blue Vauxhall Astra 1.8 petrol has covered 103,260 miles as of its last MOT in August 2025. The vehicle's history shows a pattern of failures in 2024 and 2025, although the most recent result was a clean pass with no defects. At 18 years old, the mileage is significantly higher than the model average of 6,750 miles per year.
Aggregate data for this model shows a 78% average MOT pass rate, with common failures related to headlamps, tyres, and engine management systems.
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 (FT08 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as FT08AEW.
HONDA
CR-V
HONDA
CR-V
HONDA
CR-V
HONDA
JAZZ
HONDA
CIVIC
HONDA
ACCORD
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
ROOMSTER
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
FABIA
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 2008 model year cars.
- M32 gearbox bearing failureSerious
The 6-speed M32 manual is notorious for bearing wear, leading to gear whine and eventually expensive rebuilds.
- CIM steering column module faultsModerate
The column integration module can cause intermittent loss of indicators, horn, steering-angle data or power steering calibration issues.
- Swirl flap and EGR trouble (1.9 CDTi)Moderate
The Fiat-sourced 1.9 diesel can suffer inlet swirl flap wear, EGR clogging and associated flat spots or warning lights.
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.