2010 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · FD10 YTG

The maintenance trend for this Astra shows a recent decline, culminating in a July 2025 failure followed by a same-day pass at 100,961 miles. The tester flagged an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp, an insecure offside rear stop lamp, a front oil leak, and items obstructing the driver's front view. While the vehicle subsequently passed, the presence of an inoperative MIL is a serious concern, as it disables the primary diagnostic warning system for engine and emissions faults. The recurring front oil leak, noted as non-excessive in both May 2024 and July 2025, points to a persistent gasket or seal degradation rather than a catastrophic failure, yet it requires monitoring. Accumulating 100,961 miles over sixteen years yields a low annual average of roughly 6,310 miles. The record shows consistent, steady accumulation between January 2022 and July 2025, covering 43,483 miles over that period without major gaps. However, the mileage has remained entirely static at 100,961 since the July 2025 test, indicating the vehicle has stood idle for nearly a year. Prolonged standing poses its own risks, including flat-spotted tyres, seized brake calipers, and degraded fluid systems, which a buyer must evaluate alongside the low mileage. A physical inspection should heavily focus on the front suspension and wheel alignment. The offside front inner tyre worn close to the legal limit appeared in January 2022 at 57,478 miles and again in May 2024 at 85,124 miles. This recurring inner edge wear strongly suggests worn suspension bushes, a damaged strut, or a misaligned tracking setup that persists despite tyre replacements. Examine the front subframe and lower suspension components for play and corrosion. Inspect the engine bay closely for the source of the persistent oil leak, likely a camshaft seal or rocker cover gasket, and check the brake discs and calipers for uneven wear or binding from standing. Verify the operation of the engine MIL and the security of the offside rear stop lamp, as the previous owner seemingly deferred these electrical rectifications before the retest.