1998 Vauxhall Astra · 2,649 MOT tests
1998 Vauxhall Astra reliability
1998 Vauxhall Astras fail 45.9% of first MOT tests, 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 Astra years (2,649 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Astras: 34.5%)
- 45.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Astras: 34.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 89,871
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,649
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.5% of tests fail here (87% above cars of the same age and mileage).
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Vauxhall Astra
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.4%
- Suspension17.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks13.1%
- Brakes12.3%
- Body, chassis and structure9.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.6%
- Tyres7.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.95%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.89%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.66%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 3.51%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.47%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.47%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (23.1%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (17.44%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.25%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (9.85%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (8.57%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (8.08%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Astra year
The full picture: Vauxhall Astra reliability. Before you pay for any Vauxhall Astra, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Vauxhall Astra reliable?
1998 Vauxhall Astras fail 45.9% of first MOT tests, 26% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 Astra years (2,649 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Vauxhall Astra MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.95% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.89% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.66% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Vauxhall Astra have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Vauxhall Astra shows 89,871 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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