2016 Vauxhall Astra 1.6L Diesel · LR66 TLJ

A pattern of rear brake wear has defined the mechanical history of this 2016 Vauxhall Astra, making the braking system the central area of concern for any prospective buyer. The most recent test on 6 November 2025 returned a pass, but only with an advisory noting an illuminated tyre pressure warning light, while the broader picture shows that rear brake pads have been flagged at three separate tests. In September 2019, an advisory recorded the rear pads as wearing thin, then in September 2020 the same component was recorded at less than 1.5 mm thick, resulting in a Dangerous failure on the same date that a pass was issued following remedial work. The advisories on track rod end play and front and rear tyre wear recorded in October 2024 add further wear-related items that should be examined closely, as the track rod end defect in particular points to developing steering component deterioration on a car now approaching its tenth anniversary. Covering 90,472 miles over roughly ten years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,047 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for the vehicle's age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the MOT history shows consistent annual testing from 2019 through to 2025. This continuity suggests the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up, which generally means the braking, suspension, and drivetrain components have been subjected to normal working cycles rather than suffering the deterioration often associated with long-term standing. The mileage progression across the recorded tests, combined with the rear brake pad thickness issue flagged at relatively early intervals, indicates the braking system has been worked hard under everyday driving conditions. Given the documented rear brake wear pattern, a prospective buyer should make the rear braking system the first priority on any inspection. The 2020 Dangerous failure for sub-1.5 mm pads, despite an advisory for wear having been issued the previous year, suggests that earlier advisories were not addressed before the pads reached a critically worn state, so any current pads and discs should be measured directly. On a test drive, listen for any binding or scraping from the rear calipers, particularly after the brakes have been warm, and check whether the car pulls to one side under braking, as uneven rear pad wear can produce a skewed pedal feel. The nearside track rod end ball joint play flagged in October 2024 warrants particular attention as well; on test, the steering should be checked for any knocking or clonking through the front end when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, and the steering should return cleanly to centre without wandering, since worn ball joints commonly produce vague or loose steering feedback as they deteriorate further. The tyre-related notes from 2024, covering both nearside front and nearside rear tyres worn down to 3 mm on the edges, alongside the cracking and perishing advisories from 2020 on both rear tyres, indicate that tyre condition has been a recurring inspection item. A buyer should examine the current set of tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, which can suggest alignment or suspension geometry issues linked to the worn track rod end, and check the sidewalls for any signs of cracking or perishing given the vehicle's age. The illuminated tyre pressure warning light from the latest test should also be diagnosed, as it may indicate a faulty sensor rather than simply a pressure issue, and resolving this is a straightforward but necessary step before the next test is due.