2000 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
16,385 MOT tests on the 2000 Vauxhall Astra are in this dataset, and 71.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 1,940 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.2% in the 0-30k band and 34.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.6% of the time against 29.7% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 46.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.6% in 2021 to 28.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 2,791 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 2,088 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,699 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.1% | 1,654 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 1,311 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.0% | 1,144 |
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 | 1,940 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,758 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,496 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,128 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 868 |
| 6 | Wipers | 791 |
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 | 46.2% | 7,570 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.4% | 5,795 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 4,638 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 3,466 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 3,101 |
| 6 | Other defects | 18.1% | 2,973 |
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 | 241 | 23.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,899 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 4,740 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,596 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,896 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,786 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,960 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 1,421 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,539 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 4,033 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 2,960 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 2,191 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 1,662 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Astra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% 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.
- Brakes (10.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2000 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 16,385 2000 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 2000 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 0-30k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,385 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.