2003 Vauxhall Astra · 31,400 MOT tests
2003 Vauxhall Astra reliability
2003 Vauxhall Astras fail 45% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 25 Astra years (31,400 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Astras: 34.5%)
- 45%
- first-time fail rate (all Vauxhall Astras: 34.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 99,745
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 31,400
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9.2% of tests fail here (26% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 48% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Vauxhall Astra
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.4%
- Suspension17.8%
- Brakes15.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.2%
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.6%
- Tyres7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 7.17%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 6.07%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.54%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.25%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Exhaust has major gas leak 4.18%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Stop lamp not working 3.67%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (31.68%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.11%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.69%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.81%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.96%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (8.84%)
Other years
Every Vauxhall Astra year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Vauxhall Astra reliable?
2003 Vauxhall Astras fail 45% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 25 Astra years (31,400 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Vauxhall Astra MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (7.17% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (6.07% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.54% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Vauxhall Astra have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Vauxhall Astra shows 99,745 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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