1992 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 559 MOT tests, the 1992 Vauxhall Astra recorded a 79.1% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 21.1%, so the 1992 Astra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.5% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 56 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 20.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.0% in 2021 to 16.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 64 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 47 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 44 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 56 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 4 | Wipers | 21 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.2% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.3% | 97 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 96 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.6% | 87 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 84 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.1% | 51 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 59 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 111 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 144 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 107 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 21.6% |
| 150k+ | 79 | 26.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 524 | 20.8% |
| Diesel | 35 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 154 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 125 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 116 | 21.6% |
| 2024 | 83 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 81 | 16.1% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Astra
On a 1992 Astra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1992 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 559 1992 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 1992 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 559 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.