2012 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 333,443 MOT tests, the 2012 Vauxhall Astra recorded a 78.2% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 21.1%, so the 2012 Astra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.5%) and suspension (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 22,478 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.2% versus 13.1%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 21.5% of the time against 22.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 31,657 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 28,953 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 21,593 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 20,582 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 15,042 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 11,854 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 22,478 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13,046 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 12,196 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 11,451 |
| 5 | Washers | 10,516 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 9,967 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.3% | 101,146 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 78,801 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 52,423 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.0% | 49,969 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.1% | 36,840 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 26,985 |
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 | 5,024 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 50,643 | 17.8% |
| 60-90k | 117,874 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 96,245 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 42,202 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 21,093 | 25.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 179,449 | 21.5% |
| Diesel | 153,982 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72,714 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 70,621 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 68,469 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 63,626 | 22.1% |
| 2025 | 58,013 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Astra
On a 2012 Astra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (6.5% 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 2012 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 333,443 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2012 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 333,443 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.