2002 Vauxhall Astra 1.7L Diesel · DX02 TFJ

The most recent MOT on 2025-05-28 recorded a pass at 208,650 miles, but a prior failure on 2025-05-22 revealed a critical defect: excessive corrosion on the offside front cab or chassis within 30cm of a cab mounting subframe. This defect, classified under 6.2.2 (d) (i), indicates serious structural weakness that could compromise safety. The vehicle’s age (24 years) and mileage (208,650 miles) align with typical usage for its era, averaging 8,694 miles annually. However, the corrosion suggests potential exposure to harsh conditions or delayed maintenance, which may not be fully resolved. Recurring mechanical issues include brake component wear. In 2024-05-23, both front brake pads and discs were severely worn, failing under 1.1.13 (a) (ii) and 1.1.14 (a) (i). These defects were likely addressed before the 2025 pass, but the 2023 MOT also noted tyres worn close to legal limits. While these issues are common in older vehicles, the 2025 corrosion defect highlights a more severe risk. The pattern shows intermittent but significant problems, with no clear trend of worsening or improvement. The 2025 failure was a new structural issue, not a recurrence of earlier brake or tyre faults.