2007 Vauxhall Astra 1.8L Petrol · B15 EAT

The vehicle failed its most recent MOT on 29 December 2025 at 103,034 miles, though it passed just three days later on the same mileage after rectifying the windscreen wiper issue and likely addressing the fuel cap. This indicates the car is currently roadworthy, but the repeated advisories and failures over the past year point to a deteriorating condition rather than improvement. The recurring rear brake wear, front tyre edge wear, and persistent oil leaks suggest deferred maintenance has allowed minor issues to become chronic. Mileage progression shows long gaps between tests, with only three tests in the last 2.5 years: from 94,894 miles in November 2023 to 95,590 in December 2023, then a jump to 100,765 in January 2025, and finally 103,034 in December 2025. That’s just 2,744 miles covered between the 2023 and 2025 tests—indicating the car sat largely unused for over a year—followed by 2,269 miles in the next 11 months. While the annual average of ~5,400 miles is low for a 19-year-old car, the inactivity likely accelerated rubber and seal degradation, explaining the perishing tyres, binding brakes, and exhaust leaks seen in late 2023. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the rear suspension bushes and swivel pins, which have been flagged as slightly worn since early 2025 and may now be more advanced; the front sub-frame corrosion, though not yet structurally critical, should be checked for progression, especially around welds and mounting points. The persistent oil leak, first noted as non-excessive in January 2025 but previously recorded as excessive in November 2023, warrants verification that it remains manageable. Brakes remain a concern: rear discs and pads have shown wear since late 2023, and front discs were pitted and scored in both 2023 tests—inspect for uneven wear, scoring depth, and caliper movement to rule out binding. Tyres, especially the offside front and both rear tyres, show advanced perishing or edge wear and should be examined for structural integrity and tread depth well above the legal minimum.