2009 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · AV59 MYN

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. While the Astra passed its most recent test in October 2025 at 91,524 miles, the persistence of a minor exhaust gas leak—an issue first flagged in September 2022—suggests that known faults have not been fully addressed. The trend is stable but concerning, with components only being replaced once they approach the MOT failure threshold. At 17 years old, the recorded mileage of 91,524 miles is notably low, averaging approximately 5,384 miles per year. The data shows a significant jump in usage between September 2023 (67,018 miles) and October 2024 (78,141 miles), covering over 11,000 miles in just thirteen months. This low annual mileage often leads to the degradation of rubber-based components, as evidenced by multiple reports of perishing and cracking tyres and bushes across several years. A buyer must focus on the braking and suspension during a physical inspection. The tester consistently flagged pitted and scored brake discs along with thin pads between 2022 and 2023, and the imbalanced braking noted in 2022 indicates potential caliper sticking that requires immediate attention. Furthermore, the front anti-roll bar ball joints showed play in 2024, and the corrosion on rear coil springs noted in 2022 suggests that the chassis environment is susceptible to age-related rust. The recurring exhaust leak also warrants investigation to determine if the minor leak has progressed into a structural failure of the manifold or primary piping.