2009 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · FY59 WNB

The vehicle shows a pattern of inconsistent maintenance that has recently stabilized, though it remains high-mileage for its age. The most recent MOT passed on 18 October 2024 at 181,454 miles with no defects recorded, following a failure the previous day for a stop lamp and an offside front tyre with exposed cords. While the most recent result is clean, the history reveals a recurring tendency to neglect consumable items, particularly tyres and lighting, which frequently lead to test failures. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a vehicle used for regular commuting, averaging approximately 10,674 miles per year over its 17-year lifespan. The records show steady progression from 60,231 miles in July 2016 to 181,454 miles in October 2024. There are no significant gaps in testing, although the jump from 111,715 miles in June 2020 to 135,507 miles in October 2021 shows a slightly higher annual usage of roughly 23,800 miles during that period. A prospective buyer should focus on the suspension and braking systems during a physical inspection. The record shows a history of component wear, including nearside lower suspension arm ball joints and offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints being flagged as excessively worn in June 2020. Previous failures also noted fractured rear coil springs in June 2018 and mismatched rear springs in June 2017. These recurring issues suggest that while major repairs are eventually carried out, the vehicle often operates with components nearing the end of their service life. Braking components also require scrutiny. The tester flagged pitted or scored rear brake discs in June 2020 and noted imbalanced front brakes in July 2016. Additionally, the history of exhaust leaks, specifically at the centre section and flexi-pipe, indicates that the exhaust system may have seen multiple repairs or may require attention soon. Given the high mileage, checking for structural corrosion and the condition of all rubber bushings would be a prudent step to ensure long-term reliability.