2005 Vauxhall Astravan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Vauxhall Astravan passed 69.4% of its 12,207 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests against 16.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,779 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Astravan fails 32.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 32.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.5 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 48.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 2,522 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 2,018 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.5% | 2,015 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.9% | 1,087 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 951 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.8% | 829 |
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 | 1,779 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,564 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 985 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 842 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 827 |
| 6 | Washers | 670 |
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 | 48.3% | 5,899 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.6% | 4,587 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.5% | 3,845 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.9% | 2,918 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 2,635 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.7% | 1,667 |
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 | 228 | 32.9% |
| 30-60k | 192 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 849 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,070 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 3,278 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 5,147 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,934 | 30.7% |
| Petrol | 266 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,591 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 3,027 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 2,354 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 1,864 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 1,371 | 29.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Astravan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.5% 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.
- Suspension (16.5% 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.
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 Astravans pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 12,207 2005 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Vauxhall Astravan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by brakes (16.5%).
Does the 2005 Astravan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,207 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.