2018 Vauxhall Astra 1.4L Petrol · DL18 OKW

The 2018 Vauxhall Astra presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a fully clean MOT pass on 3 June 2026 at 26,943 miles with zero defects recorded. This is a significant shift from the preceding five years, during which the nearside front and rear tyres were repeatedly flagged for sidewall damage and wear. The absence of any advisory or failure in the most recent test suggests the owner has moved beyond reactive replacements and is now maintaining the vehicle to a consistent standard. The overall roadworthiness status is sound, with no structural, mechanical, or braking defects appearing across the entire recorded history. The mileage pattern tells a clear story of very light use. Covering just 9,117 miles over the five-year period from the June 2022 test at 17,826 miles to the June 2026 test at 26,943 miles, the vehicle has averaged roughly 1,823 miles per year in that window. Annualising across its full life, the car sits at approximately 3,368 miles per year, well below the UK average. There are no suspicious gaps in the MOT record, with tests completed consistently each June. The steady, low-mileage accumulation points to short local journeys rather than long periods of dormancy, which reduces the risk of moisture-related corrosion in the braking and exhaust systems. The recurring theme across the 2022 to 2025 tests is tyre condition, specifically sidewall deterioration on the nearside front and rear. Repeated sidewall cracking or perishing on the same side may point to prolonged kerb contact, underinflation habits, or a suspension alignment issue causing uneven wear. A buyer should inspect the nearside wheel arch for signs of rubbing, check the condition of the suspension bushes and coil springs on that corner, and verify the tracking geometry. The fact that these advisories have now cleared is encouraging, but a fresh four-wheel alignment check would confirm whether the root cause was addressed or simply masked by new rubber. Beyond tyres, the record is notably free of mechanical or structural concerns. No brake defects, exhaust emissions failures, or corrosion warnings have ever been logged. For a vehicle of this age and mileage, that is a strong indicator of careful ownership. A prospective buyer should still examine the underside for surface rust on subframes and suspension components, test the handbrake function on a slope, and confirm the exhaust system is free from leaks. The clean 2026 result gives confidence, but a brief physical inspection of the structural underpinnings remains prudent given the car's age.