1997 Vauxhall Astra 1.4L Petrol · R901 AKO

The Vauxhall Astra presents a currently roadworthy status, having passed its most recent MOT on 7 February 2024 at 117,403 miles with no defects recorded. The maintenance trend appears stable on paper, though the lead-up to that pass reveals administrative inconsistency rather than mechanical decline. On 6 February 2024 the car failed at 117,402 miles with no defects listed, and a prior failure on 11 November 2023 at 116,313 miles also recorded no defects. These back-to-back failures with zero faults suggest clerical or presentation issues at the testing station, not worsening vehicle condition. The recorded mileage shows light use for a 1997 vehicle. From the 2021 test at 102,224 miles to the 2022 test at 103,589 miles the car covered just 1,365 miles in a year. By November 2023 it had reached 116,313 miles, a 12,724-mile jump in roughly twelve months, before settling at 117,403 by February 2024. The overall average of around 4,048 miles per year indicates long periods of standing, which on a 29-year-old Vauxhall raises the risk of perished rubber components and stagnant fluids rather than high-mileage drivetrain wear. A buyer should physically inspect the suspension bushes, coil springs, and subframe for corrosion given the low annual use and age. Standing vehicles of this era commonly develop structural rust on sills and suspension mounts even when MOT advisories are absent. The brake discs and calipers warrant checking for binding or surface pitting from inactivity. Although the DVSA record shows no advisories across any test, the two defect-free failures in late 2023 and early 2024 mean the buyer must confirm the vehicle was genuinely roadworthy and not passed on a technicality. Verify the February 2024 pass reflects a true clean test and inspect all consumables, including tyres and wiper blades, before purchase.