2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.2L Diesel · LR55 AKP
2005 Vauxhall Astra (1.2L, diesel). First registered 01 Oct 2005. Recorded mileage 121,369 miles. MOT expired on 05 Aug 2026. Taxed until 01 Jul 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- VAUXHALL ASTRA
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 05 Aug 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Jul 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 121,369 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 1.2L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
LR55 AKP Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 25/07/2025
- 121,369 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LR55 AKP MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 Vauxhall Astra (LR55 AKP) between July 2022 and July 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 25 July 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (5 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))”.
LR55 AKP Mileage History
- 18/07/2022108,903 mi
- 24/07/2023112,340 mi+3,437 mi
- 23/07/2024114,970 mi+2,630 mi
- 25/07/2025121,369 mi+6,399 mi
- 25/07/2025121,369 mi
Average of roughly 4,127 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Approach this 2005 Vauxhall Astra diesel with caution, as its most recent MOT test in July 2025 resulted in a failure on several safety-related items. While it was subsequently passed on the same day after apparent rectification, the underlying wear at 121,369 miles suggests deferred maintenance that a buyer should budget to address.
Given the July 2025 failure items, negotiate firmly on price to reflect the cost of replacing rear shocks, both rear coil springs, rear brake discs and pads, and the near-side front CV boot, all flagged at 121,369 miles. The seller should provide evidence (invoices or receipt) that the same-day pass reflects genuine parts replacement rather than a partial fix, as the failure and pass share an identical mileage and date. For a 2005 diesel Astra, a full service history is important to confirm timing belt and fuel system maintenance, so check for stamped books or garage records covering the 108,903 to 121,369 mile period.
As a 1248cc diesel registered before March 2006, this Astra falls in a lower road tax band (typically £20-£35 per year for pre-2006 diesels) but the 1.2 CDTi is known for modest real-world economy of around 45-55 mpg. Insurance group for an early Astra diesel is low (group 5-8), keeping premiums affordable for most drivers. Estimated annual running costs including fuel, tax, insurance and typical maintenance for a high-mileage 20-year-old diesel are around £1,200-£1,500, with maintenance weighted higher due to the recent MOT defects.
Inspect the rear suspension closely: the July 2025 failure noted near-side rear shock fluid leak and off-side reduced damping, plus both rear coil springs corroded, so confirm new springs and shocks are fitted and not just temporarily patched. Check the rear brakes — discs were pitted/scored and pads wearing thin at 121,369 miles — and verify the near-side front CV boot was replaced after being severely deteriorated, as a split boot can destroy the joint. Finally, test the rear wiper operation and examine the headlamp lenses, which showed slight defect advisories in 2024 at 114,970 miles, to ensure visibility is not compromised.
This white 1.2-litre diesel Astra (LR55AKP), first registered in October 2005, has covered 121,369 miles as of its July 2025 MOT, which is high for a 20-year-old car. The 2025 MOT history shows a failure for rear shock leaks, reduced damping, corroded coil springs, worn brake discs and pads, a deteriorated CV boot and a defective wiper, though it passed later the same day. Earlier tests from 2022 to 2024 recorded only minor advisories, indicating the recent issues are a concentrated onset of age-related wear.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Vauxhall Astra, so this assessment relies solely on the individual history of LR55AKP.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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