2016 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Diesel · EY16 OPK

The 2016 Vauxhall Astra holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 18 May 2026 at 82,501 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than consistently stable. The most recent pass came just over a month ago on the current date of 17 June 2026, yet it followed a failure only four days earlier on 14 May 2026 at 82,500 miles. That failure was serious. The tester flagged missing road wheel fixings on all four wheels, a perished offside rear tyre, and a split nearside front outer constant velocity boot that no longer prevented dirt ingress. These are not minor oversights. Missing wheel fixings represent a fundamental security failure, and a split CV boot allows contamination into the joint, accelerating wear and risking driveshaft failure. The fact that the car passed four days later suggests the immediate defects were addressed, but the pattern indicates reactive rather than preventive maintenance. The advisory for a slightly damaged or perishing offside rear tyre carried forward into the pass, meaning that tyre still requires close monitoring. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical use for a ten-year-old car. From the February 2024 pass at 67,234 miles to the June 2026 tests at 82,501 miles, the car covered roughly 15,267 miles in approximately two years and four months, equating to around 6,500 miles per year. This sits comfortably within the typical annual range of 8,000 to 12,000 miles for a vehicle of this age, suggesting regular rather than excessive use. The record is relatively sparse, with only five tests spanning just over two years, but the data points are consistent and show no anomalous jumps or gaps that would suggest long periods of inactivity or odometer irregularities. A buyer inspecting this Astra in person should focus on the components that have repeatedly appeared on the record. The nearside front CV boot was flagged as split in May 2026, so check for play in the driveshaft joint and inspect the boot replacement quality if it has been renewed. The offside rear tyre advisory persists, so examine all four tyres for cracking, perishing, and uneven wear, paying particular attention to the sidewalls. Verify that all wheel fixings are present and torqued correctly, given the complete absence flagged in the May 2026 failure. Beyond the recorded defects, inspect the underside for corrosion on suspension mounting points, subframe, and brake lines, as these are common deterioration points on Astras of this age. Check the bonnet catch mechanism, which was flagged as insecure in June 2025, and confirm the engine MIL illuminates on ignition and extinguishes correctly, as the MIL was flagged inoperative in the same earlier test. A thorough road test should assess brake binding or uneven braking, particularly at the rear, given the recurring rear brake and tyre concerns.