DVLA verified
MOT valid
Tax valid

1998 VAUXHALL ASTRA1.6L Petrol

R473 FAA

Vehicle Insight Summary

This 1998 VAUXHALL ASTRA is a Petrol vehicle with a 1598cc engine. Currently it has a valid MOT and is taxed for road use. The latest recorded mileage is 116,690.

MOT
Valid
Expires 13/11/2026
Tax
Taxed
Expires 01/11/2026
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£8.99
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Fuel
Petrol
Year
1998
Engine
1598cc

Free vehicle health score

75
/ 100 · Good

Public record health check: Good.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
A score of 75 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.
Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for R473FAA

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked
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Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

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Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 30 Jul 2026, 07:09
AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

Checking the history for this 1998 Vauxhall Astra (R473 FAA), we found 5 MOT results in the period of November 2023 to November 2025.

With 3 passes and 2 failures, the lifetime MOT pass rate stands at 60%. While not perfect, the history shows a relatively typical pattern of MOT passes and fails.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Tyres (7 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 28 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 4 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))”; “Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases back box (6.1.2 (a))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide

AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.

Buying Score
35/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,200
Mileage
The mileage of 116,690 miles is slightly...

Our Verdict

Proceed with extreme caution unless you are a mechanic looking for a cheap project car. This Astra shows a history of significant structural corrosion and recurring mechanical issues that suggest it is nearing the end of its practical road life.

The primary concern for this vehicle is its structural integrity. The MOT record repeatedly notes 'holed' wheel arches and 'excessively corroded' inner panels. You must have a specialist perform a thorough inspection to determine how far the rust has spread beyond the visible areas, as welding repairs can be prohibitively expensive.

Mechanically, pay attention to the oil leak. The vehicle has a consistent history of engine oil leaks, which were once described as 'excessive' in 2022. Check the exhaust system thoroughly, as it has recently failed for both leaks and high carbon monoxide readings. Ensure the service history is present, as the frequent MOT failures suggest that maintenance may have been reactive rather than proactive in recent years.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.

Data Sources

DVSA

MOT test records from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

DVLA

Vehicle registration, tax, and specification data.

OneAutoAPI

Market valuation, warranty, and recall intelligence.

AI Analysis

Machine learning insights trained on millions of UK MOT records.

Learn more about our methodology