2009 Vauxhall Astra 1.8L Petrol · SB58 HBE

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of reactive maintenance rather than preventative care. While it passed its most recent test in September 2025 at 59,869 miles, this followed a significant failure just four miles prior. That failure revealed a critical list of safety-related defects including a major exhaust leak, worn rear brake discs, and mismatched axle tyres. The recurring nature of these faults suggests that the owner only addresses mechanical issues when forced by the MOT tester, leading to a state of intermittent compliance. At 17 years old, the Astra shows an exceptionally low mileage of 59,869 miles, averaging approximately 3,500 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related degradation of rubber and fluids, which is evidenced by the May 2024 failure flagging perishing tyres and a leaking hydraulic caliper. The gap between the August 2024 test and the September 2025 test shows very little mileage movement, indicating the car likely sits for long periods, which explains the presence of brake fluctuations and pitted discs despite the low odometer reading. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the braking system and exhaust assembly. The record shows a history of fluctuating rear brakes, imbalanced front brakes, and worn discs that have progressed from minor pitting to significant wear in a very short period. The exhaust system has been flagged for deterioration and a major leak, indicating advanced structural corrosion that is common on a low-mileage high-age vehicle. Furthermore, the ABS fault reported in 2024 must be verified to ensure the electronic braking system is fully functional, as this was not explicitly cleared as resolved in subsequent passes.