2010 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · KC04 ACO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test in May 2026 at 99,251 miles passed with a non-excessive oil leak, which mirrors an advisory from the 2025 test. While the car has passed its latest inspections, the 2024 failure due to high exhaust emissions and engine management faults indicates a period where mechanical health was neglected before being addressed only after failing a legal test. At 99,251 miles, the Astra has averaged approximately 6,200 miles per year, which aligns with typical light usage for a sixteen-year-old vehicle. The data shows consistent movement, with roughly 8,000 miles covered between May 2023 and 2024, and another 5,700 miles between April 2024 and May 2026. This steady usage suggests the vehicle does not sit for long periods, which generally helps prevent the degradation of rubber components and seals despite the relatively low annual mileage. A buyer must focus inspection on the suspension and braking systems, as the record shows recurring issues in these areas. The tester flagged worn suspension arm bushes and steering rack inner joint play in 2023, followed by a failure on the nearside rear suspension arm in 2024. The persistent nearside rear brake binding and thin pads noted in 2024 suggest that the caliper may be sticking or the mechanism requires attention. Furthermore, the recurring oil leak noted in the last two tests should be visually inspected to ensure it remains a minor seal leak rather than a developing gasket failure that could lead to catastrophic engine damage.