2004 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · DF04 SXH

The MOT record for this 2004 Vauxhall Astra shows a historic trend of severe mechanical failures that cleared in the final recorded tests, though testing data stops abruptly in February 2022. The vehicle passed its last recorded MOT on 16 February 2022 with zero advisories, following a clean pass on 4 March 2021. Because over four years have elapsed since the last recorded inspection, the vehicle's current roadworthiness status cannot be verified from DVSA records alone, and the lack of recent data presents a substantial blind spot. Averaging roughly 4,118 miles per year across its lifespan, the vehicle shows relatively low overall usage. The recorded mileage stood at 90,591 miles during the February 2022 inspection. Low annual mileage can indicate extended periods of standing, which often leads to component deterioration such as corroded brake discs, perished rubber bushes, or seized calipers. The complete absence of testing records from 2022 to the present date requires immediate clarification to confirm whether the vehicle was stored off-road or driven without a valid MOT certificate. Historical inspection logs reveal repeated, high-severity defects across the steering, suspension, and braking systems. In March 2019, the tester issued a dangerous failure due to severe wear in both nearside and offside track rod end ball joints that posed a risk of detachment, alongside advisories for pitted front brake discs and a deteriorated CV boot. Subsequent testing in March 2020 recorded further major failures for a fractured nearside rear coil spring and an excessively worn offside front suspension arm ball joint. These entries demonstrate a past pattern of critical running-gear wear. A prospective buyer must prioritize a rigorous physical inspection of the front and rear suspension components, checking specifically for worn control arm bushes, leaking shock absorbers, and broken coil springs. The steering rack and track rod ends require close diagnostic scrutiny given the previous dangerous defects. The braking system needs direct assessment for disc pitting, edge lips, and uneven pad wear, while drive shaft CV boots and all four tyres must be evaluated for rubber perishing and structural integrity.