2012 Vauxhall Astra 2.0L Diesel · M66 GBE
2012 Vauxhall Astra (2.0L, diesel). First registered 09 Mar 2012. Recorded mileage 120,828 miles. MOT valid until 03 Feb 2027. Taxed until 01 Sept 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2012 · Manchester
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 03 Feb 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Sept 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 120,828 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
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.
M66 GBE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 22/01/2026
- 120,828 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
M66 GBE 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 2012 Vauxhall Astra (M66 GBE) between January 2023 and January 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 22 January 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (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: “Horn not working (7.7 (a))”.
M66 GBE Mileage History
- 31/01/2023113,493 mi
- 30/01/2024116,876 mi+3,383 mi
- 31/01/2025118,870 mi+1,994 mi
- 20/01/2026120,828 mi+1,958 mi
- 22/01/2026120,828 mi
Average of roughly 2,465 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Vauxhall Astra J
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
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Digital Service History
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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with caution — this 2012 Vauxhall Astra diesel has a clean pass record apart from a minor January 2026 failure, but recurring brake and tyre advisories suggest deferred maintenance. Budget for immediate rear brake and horn repairs before committing.
Ask the seller for proof that the January 2026 MOT failure items have been resolved — the horn must now work, and the near-side rear brake disc and pad friction material should have been addressed given the pass two days later. Request full service history; at 120,828 miles the 1.9-litre diesel will be due or overdue for timing belt and coolant changes if not documented. Use the recorded advisories as negotiation leverage: the 2024 MOT noted an overheated near-side rear brake disc with breaking-up pads, suggesting the rear brakes have been a long-standing weak point worth a price reduction to cover.
As a 1956cc diesel registered in 2012, this Astra falls into a higher CO2 tax band than later Euro 6 models, though exact VED depends on emissions data not supplied; budget around £20-£35 monthly if taxed annually. Diesel insurance groups for this era of Astra are typically 10-15, keeping premiums modest for a 14-year-old car. Routine maintenance such as tyres and brake components will be the main cost given the MOT advisories, with an estimated annual running cost of £900-£1,200 including fuel, tax, insurance, and upkeep.
Check the near-side rear brake disc and pads first — the January 2026 MOT flagged the disc as pitted or scored and the pad friction material starting to break up, with the same area noted as overheated back in 2024. Test the horn operates correctly, as its failure caused the 2026-01-20 MOT refusal. Inspect all four tyres for edge wear (near-side front flagged in 2023, 2024 and 2025, off-side front in 2024) and examine the front lower suspension arm bushes, which were noted as worn but not excessive in the 2023 test.
This black 1956cc diesel Vauxhall Astra (M66GBE), first registered in March 2012, has covered 120,828 miles as of its most recent January 2026 MOT. The history shows four passes and one failure in the last three years, with the only failure caused by a non-working horn plus pre-existing rear brake wear. Recurring advisories for tyre edge wear, rear brake disc scoring, and front suspension bush wear indicate the car has been lightly maintained rather than neglected.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Vauxhall Astra, so this assessment relies solely on the individual history of M66GBE.
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
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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.
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