1998 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Vauxhall Astra passed 71.8% of its 4,927 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.6% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 650 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.8% in 2021 to 24.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 816 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 633 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 498 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 484 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 353 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.5% | 319 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 650 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 429 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 412 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 354 |
| 5 | Wipers | 261 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 211 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.5% | 1,947 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 1,629 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 1,280 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.3% | 1,150 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 798 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.8% | 780 |
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 | 120 | 24.2% |
| 30-60k | 662 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,595 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,350 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 639 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 467 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,631 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 296 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,609 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 1,201 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 889 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 684 | 27.9% |
| 2025 | 544 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Astra
On a 1998 Astra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (10.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 4,927 1998 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 1998 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,927 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.