2009 Vauxhall Astra 1.7L Diesel · MA09 CLY

The 2009 Vauxhall Astra maintains a generally stable mechanical condition, passing its most recent MOT on 2026-02-10 at 146,463 miles. The maintenance trend reveals a consistent pattern of minor electrical and suspension advisories rather than escalating mechanical failure. The tester flagged the offside direction indicator flashing more than 120 times per minute in both the 2025 and 2026 tests, pointing to a persistent relay or circuit issue. The nearside front upper anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover was severely deteriorated in the 2023 and 2026 tests, indicating the protective cover has degraded and likely compromised the joint's integrity over time. These recurring faults suggest the previous owner addressed immediate failures but overlooked persistent, slow-developing defects. Accumulating 146,463 miles over seventeen years equates to roughly 8,615 miles annually, a typical usage profile for a vehicle of this age. The MOT records show consistent annual testing with steady mileage increments of approximately 2,500 to 3,000 miles between the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 tests. There are no glaring gaps in the testing schedule that would suggest the vehicle sat idle for extended periods, nor are there sudden spikes in odometer readings indicating high-mileage bursts. This steady accumulation points to regular, mixed driving rather than prolonged neglect or severe abuse. A prospective buyer must physically inspect the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint. The severely deteriorated dust cover noted in 2023 and 2026 allows road debris and moisture to ingress the joint, accelerating wear and potentially leading to a dangerous detachment. The repeated flashing indicator fault requires checking the offside lamp units and the flasher unit itself. Brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in both 2022 and 2023 at similar mileages, meaning the current owner likely replaced them, but a physical inspection of the current disc thickness and condition remains prudent. The 2023 oil leak advisory also warrants a thorough inspection of the engine bay and under-tray for fresh seepage. Edge wear on the nearside front tyre in 2025 and the offside front tyre in 2023 suggests potential suspension geometry misalignment or worn suspension bushes, which requires a full geometry check.