2001 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,754 MOT tests, the 2001 Vauxhall Astra recorded a 71.7% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2001 Astra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.8% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,199 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.6% in the 0-30k band and 32.2% in the 150k+ band, a 8.6-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.1pp more often than petrol ones (30.1% vs 28.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.2% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 5,130 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 3,929 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 3,248 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 2,323 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 2,030 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 1,994 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 3,199 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,819 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,145 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 1,569 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,428 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,371 |
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 | 46.5% | 13,368 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.9% | 10,047 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.9% | 8,314 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 6,015 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 5,023 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.3% | 4,977 |
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 | 403 | 23.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,624 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,019 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 8,076 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 4,703 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 3,469 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 24,941 | 28.0% |
| Diesel | 3,809 | 30.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,200 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 6,973 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 5,410 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 4,090 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 3,081 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Astra
On a 2001 Astra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% 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 (11.3% 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 2001 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 28,754 2001 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2001 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,754 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.