2004 Vauxhall Astra 1.7L Diesel · FL54 JWD

The Vauxhall Astra presents a broadly stable roadworthiness picture, with the most recent test on 4 July 2023 at 144,849 miles returning a pass and no defects recorded. The maintenance trend shows no worsening faults across the available history. A prior failure on 1 July 2023 at 144,844 miles is anomalous, as the DVSA entry logs no defects; this suggests an administrative or presentation issue at the testing station rather than a mechanical defect, with the vehicle cleared three days later. The recorded mileage of 144,849 against a 2004 build gives a mean of roughly 6,584 miles per year, which is typical for the age. Between the 10 January 2022 test at 123,923 miles and the July 2023 tests, the car covered about 20,926 miles, an annualised rate near 14,000 miles and well above the lifetime average. The sparse record leaves a multi-year gap before 2022, so earlier wear patterns on suspension bushes, brake discs, and structural corrosion remain undocumented. A buyer should still commission an in-person inspection of the subframe, sills, and suspension arms for corrosion and worn bushes, given the vehicle's 22-year age and the elevated mileage accumulation in 2022 to 2023. The clean advisory list does not exempt the Astra from age-related degradation of consumables such as tyres, wiper blades, and exhaust hangers. Verify the circumstances of the July 2023 failure with the issuing test centre, as the zero-defect reject remains unexplained by the official data.