2009 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Petrol · KY09 FVU

The 2009 Vauxhall Astra failed its MOT on 10 June 2026 at 153,857 miles, and the record reveals a worsening maintenance trend. The most recent test flagged a cluster of new failures: a non-functioning offside obligatory mirror, an inoperative offside registration plate lamp, a defective nearside stop lamp, and exhaust emissions exceeding both hydrocarbon and lambda limits alongside an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp. These point to neglected basic checks and a potential running issue with the engine management or fuel system. The tester also recorded both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge, both rear tyres cracking or perishing, and rear brake discs worn, pitted or scored. Combined with the emissions failure, this suggests the car has been driven with minimal attention to consumable condition and engine health in the months leading up to the test. The mileage pattern is broadly typical for a seventeen-year-old car, averaging roughly 9,050 miles per year. The annual tests show steady accumulation from 129,082 miles in May 2022 to 135,491 in May 2023, 143,719 in May 2024, 147,520 in May 2025, and 153,857 in June 2026, indicating consistent use without obvious long-term standing. There are no large gaps in the MOT record, but the jump in defects between the clean 2023 pass and the increasingly advisory-heavy 2024 and 2025 tests, culminating in the 2026 failure, implies the vehicle has been run harder or serviced less rigorously in recent years. A buyer should treat the June 2026 failure as a clear warning on engine and emissions health. The hydrocarbon and lambda exceedances, together with an inoperative MIL, warrant a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes and a thorough inspection of the catalytic converter, exhaust system for leaks, and engine sensors such as oxygen sensors and the mass airflow sensor. The recurring rear brake disc advisory since 2024, now paired with front and rear tyre wear and cracking, indicates braking and wheel-end components are overdue for replacement. The rear tyres in particular, showing cracking or perishing, are a risk for sudden deflation and should be replaced before any sustained driving. Beyond the immediate failures, the persistent oil leak noted as non-excessive since 2022 deserves closer examination. A buyer should check whether the leak has worsened, inspect the engine and gearbox mounts, and examine the underside for corrosion, especially around suspension mounting points, subframes, and brake lines. The headlamp lens condition advisories from 2024 and 2025 suggest the lenses may be hazing or deteriorating, which can reduce night-time visibility. Overall, the record points to a car that has been used consistently but maintained reactively rather than preventatively, and any purchase should be contingent on a full mechanical inspection and a retest confirming the emissions and lighting faults have been rectified.