2005 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 137,997 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Vauxhall Astra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.5% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.8% in the 150k+ group versus 19.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 25,025 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 22,373 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 16,765 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 11,944 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 8,700 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 8,668 |
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 | 14,325 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 11,912 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 11,466 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 7,397 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 6,356 |
| 6 | Washers | 6,353 |
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 | 39.6% | 54,630 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.5% | 47,677 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.2% | 43,038 |
| 4 | Other defects | 26.2% | 36,141 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 29,480 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 23,583 |
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 | 1,174 | 19.9% |
| 30-60k | 11,078 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 33,348 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 45,824 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 30,137 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 16,098 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 113,098 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 24,892 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43,327 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 33,278 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 26,436 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 20,033 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 14,923 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Astra
Before buying a 2005 Vauxhall Astra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (12.2% 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 2005 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 137,997 2005 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2005 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 137,997 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.