2012 Vauxhall Astra 2.0L Diesel · DN62 ABZ

The most recent DVSA test, dated 5 November 2025, resulted in a failure, chiefly for an off‑side headlamp aim that is clearly out of specification and front brake pads that have worn down to the wear‑indicator level. The test also recorded advisories on tyre tread depth and a nail in the near‑side rear tyre. Looking back over the last five years the pattern is one of deterioration: a pass in 2023 was followed by a failure in 2022 for severe rear‑brake pipe corrosion and dangerously thin rear pads, another failure in 2024 for parking‑brake inefficiency and brake‑balance loss, and now the 2025 failure. The recurrence of brake‑related defects and corrosion warnings indicates that the vehicle’s maintenance has been inconsistent and is currently in a declining state. At 202 186 miles the Astra has logged roughly 14 400 miles each year since its 2012 registration, well above the UK average of about 8‑10 000 miles per annum. Such high utilisation accelerates wear on consumables such as tyres, brake linings, discs and suspension bushings, and places additional stress on engine and transmission components. There are no obvious gaps in the MOT record that would suggest long periods of storage, so the mileage appears to be a genuine reflection of sustained use rather than a low‑usage vehicle that has been idle. A prospective buyer should give the braking system the highest priority. Inspect the front and rear pads for thickness; any reading below 2 mm will require immediate replacement, and the discs should be measured for run‑.