2005 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
138,002 MOT tests on the 2005 Vauxhall Astra are in this dataset, and 69.5% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (27.8% fail rate), the 2005 Astra comes out 2.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.1%) and suspension (16.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 14,325 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.9% in the 0-30k band and 32.8% in the 150k+ band, a 13.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 30.4% of the time against 31.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.6% in 2021 to 29.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 25,025 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 22,373 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 16,765 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 11,944 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 8,700 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 8,669 |
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 | 6,354 |
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% | 47,679 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.2% | 43,039 |
| 4 | Other defects | 26.2% | 36,142 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 29,480 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 23,584 |
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 | 45,827 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 30,139 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 16,098 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 113,103 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 24,892 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43,328 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 33,279 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 26,437 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 20,034 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 14,924 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Astra
On a 2005 Astra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 138,002 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 138,002 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.