2003 Vauxhall Astra 1.7L Diesel · YC53 DPU
2003 Vauxhall Astra (1.7L, diesel). First registered 01 Oct 2003. Recorded mileage 109,876 miles. MOT expired on 11 Jul 2024.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2003 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 11 Jul 2024
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (02 Jun 2024)
- Recorded Mileage
- 109,876 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 1.7L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
YC53 DPU Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 13/07/2023
- 109,876 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
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.
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.
YC53 DPU Mileage History
- 05/03/2022129,831 mi
- 13/07/2023109,876 mi-19,955 mi
Average of roughly -14,716 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
YC53 DPU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2003 Vauxhall Astra (YC53 DPU) between March 2022 and July 2023.
The record contains 2 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
This 2003 Vauxhall Astra offers good value for money but requires careful inspection due to high mileage and past suspension issues. The recent MOT history is clean, but its age and condition warrant caution.
Prioritise a thorough mechanical inspection of the suspension system, focusing on the front Macpherson struts and anti-roll bar linkages mentioned in the 2017 MOT. Check for rust on the chassis and bodywork, common in older Vauxhalls. Verify service history for regular maintenance, particularly oil changes and diesel particulate filter (DPF) cleaning. Negotiate based on the high mileage and potential hidden wear, but the clean recent MOTs justify a reasonable price.
As a 2003 diesel model, this Astra will incur £0 road tax (zero-emission rate). Insurance groups for early 2000s diesels typically range from 15-20, costing £500-£800 annually. Fuel economy averages 40-50 mpg, with £1,000-£1,200 annual fuel costs at 10,000 miles. Maintenance costs may rise due to age, with suspension repairs and DPF issues possible. Total estimated annual running cost: £1,500-£2,000.
Focus on the suspension components flagged in the 2017 MOT: front Macpherson struts (check for excessive movement) and anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers. Inspect rear brakes for binding issues and assess the condition of the exhaust system. Look for signs of engine wear through oil consumption tests and check the DPF for clogging. Verify that the vehicle has not been involved in accidents using the VIN.
The 2003 Vauxhall Astra has a clean MOT history from 2020 onwards, but its 129,831 miles (recorded in 2022) is significantly above average for a 22-year-old vehicle. While no major defects were found in recent tests, a 2017 MOT noted suspension and braking concerns. The diesel engine and orange colour are neutral factors, with no model-wide reliability data available to confirm long-term durability.
No aggregate reliability data available for the VAUXHALL ASTRA model, making it difficult to assess long-term durability beyond individual vehicle history.
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 (YC53 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as YC53DPU.
TOYOTA
C-HR
VOLKSWAGEN
TOUAREG
FORD
FIESTA
FORD
FIESTA
FORD
MONDEO
FORD
FIESTA
VAUXHALL
CORSA
VAUXHALL
INSIGNIA
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
VAUXHALL
CORSA
VAUXHALL
CORSA
VAUXHALL
CORSA
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 2003 model year cars.
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.