2011 Vauxhall Astra 2.0L Diesel · VO11 AAY
2011 Vauxhall Astra (2.0L, diesel). First registered 20 Jul 2011. Recorded mileage 98,996 miles. MOT expired on 01 Feb 2025. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2011 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 01 Feb 2025
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 98,996 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.
VO11 AAY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 02/02/2024
- 98,996 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
VO11 AAY 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 2011 Vauxhall Astra (VO11 AAY) between February 2022 and February 2024.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 02 February 2024 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 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 Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
VO11 AAY Mileage History
- 02/02/202280,004 mi
- 30/01/202388,475 mi+8,471 mi
- 30/01/202388,475 mi
- 02/02/202498,996 mi+10,521 mi
- 02/02/202498,996 mi
Average of roughly 9,502 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
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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: 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
Caution is advised when considering this
Given the high recorded mileage relative to the model average, a thorough mechanical inspection by a Vauxhall specialist is essential before committing. The suspension arm bush failure is particularly worth scrutinising — bush wear on the front lower arms is a recurring issue on Mk6 Astra diesels of this era, and if one side has failed the other may follow soon. Ask the seller for evidence of recent suspension component replacement and budget for a full front suspension refresh if receipts cannot be produced.
Negotiation should focus on the advisories and recent failures. The exhaust mounting defect noted at the 2024 test is a relatively cheap fix, but it suggests the system has not been recently overhauled. Request that the seller either replace it pre-sale or factor it into the asking price. Check the service history carefully — at nearly 99,000 miles, this Astra is approaching timing belt change territory (typically due every 5 years or 60,000 miles on the 1.9 CDTI), and a missing recent belt service would be a significant red flag.
When viewing, inspect the underside for oil leaks from the oil filter housing and turbo oil feed pipes, both common 1.9 CDTI weak points. Cold starts should be smooth — blue smoke on startup suggests turbo seal wear. Test the clutch for slipping under load, as dual-mass flywheel replacement on this engine is costly if needed.
The 1.9 CDTI diesel is reasonably economical for its class, with real-world fuel economy typically in the 40-50 mpg range. Road tax for a 2011 diesel of this engine size sits in a higher band than equivalent petrols, and many urban clean air zones now levy daily charges on pre-2015 diesels, which should be factored in if the buyer lives or works in a Clean Air Zone city.
Insurance on a 2011 Astra 1.9 CDTI generally falls into group 18-22 depending on trim, so quotes should be obtained before purchase. Maintenance costs are moderate; parts are widely available and inexpensive compared to German rivals, but labour rates at main dealers can be steep. Independent Vauxhall specialists typically charge £50-70 per hour.
The most pressing item from the MOT history is the offside front suspension arm pin or bush failure recorded in February 2024. Jack up the front end and check both lower arms for play, paying particular attention to the rear bushes which wear prematurely. Also inspect the exhaust system along its full length, as the central mounting failure suggests the system is under stress — look for cracks at joints and hangers.
Given the January 2023 tyre failure with exposed cords on both front tyres, check the current tyres for even wear across the axle, which could indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues. Uneven inner or outer edge wear would suggest alignment problems that the previous tyre replacement masked rather than resolved. The number plate lamp failure is trivial but worth confirming has been properly rectified.
Beyond the MOT record, the 1.9 CDTI engine is known for EGR valve coking and swirl flap wear on earlier units — confirm the EGR has been cleaned or replaced and listen for any rattle from the inlet manifold on startup. Check the oil for mayonnaise on the cap, which would indicate head gasket concerns, and inspect the water pump and thermostat for leaks given the high mileage.
This silver 2011 Vauxhall Astra diesel has covered 98,996 miles across three recorded MOT tests since 2022, giving an annualised mileage of around 12,400 miles — well above the model average of 6,744. Two of the three tests resulted in failures: one in January 2023 for exposed tyre cords on both front tyres, and one in February 2024 for an exhaust mounting defect, a worn suspension arm bush, and an inoperative number plate lamp. The subsequent re-test pass suggests the work was carried out, but the recurrence of component defects within a short window is notable.
Across 798,549 Vauxhall Astra models analysed, the average MOT pass rate is 78.0%, placing the model in the mid-range of UK family car reliability. The most common failure points — headlamps, tyres, and engine MIL issues — suggest attention to consumables rather than catastrophic failures.
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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