2013 Vauxhall Astra 2.0L Diesel · DN63 FSE

The most recent MOT was on 2025-04-28 — just over 13 months ago — and it passed, but with four advisories: two tyres worn close to the legal limit (offside rear and offside front inner), and two suspension arm bushes/pins showing wear (nearside and offside front), though not yet causing excessive movement. This follows a failed MOT just two days earlier on 2025-04-26 at the same mileage, where the nearside rear tyre failed outright due to both insufficient tread depth and a structural tear — a serious safety concern. That failure also repeated the same edge-wear issues on other tyres and the same suspension wear advisories. The pattern is clear and worsening: tyre wear — especially on the rear nearside and front inner edges — has recurred every year since at least 2023, and now includes structural damage. Suspension wear (front arm bushes/pins) has appeared in every MOT since 2023 and remains unaddressed. Brake pads and discs were flagged in 2024, and steering play was noted in 2023 — suggesting progressive deterioration in critical handling and stopping systems. At 124,508 miles over 13 years, the average is ~9,578 miles/year — broadly typical. But the recurring edge wear on tyres, combined with suspension wear and past brake issues, points more to alignment or geometry problems than simple high-mileage wear. There’s no evidence of long-term under-use (e.g., no rust or seized components cited), nor of unusually gentle use — the repeated failures suggest ongoing mechanical issues rather than benign low usage. The vehicle is not deteriorating slowly — it’s showing active, accumulating faults in safety-critical areas: tyres, suspension, brakes, and steering.