Bedford Astra (1987)
1987 Bedford Astra
CarHunch analysed 1,095 real MOT records for the 1987 Bedford Astra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Bedford Astra is a reliability disaster by any standard: just 4% of these vehicles pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%. Diesel variants fare marginally better at 14.4% pass rate versus 2.5% for petrol, though both figures are abysmal, and dangerous defects are rare enough (0.5%) that they're not the primary concern here.
These are genuinely old cars with modest mileage for their age (median 48,995 miles), yet they're still racking up failures—the average vehicle has experienced multiple failures across its MOT history despite low advisory rates. If you're considering one, treat it as a project car requiring serious mechanical work, not a usable daily driver.
What to check before buying a 1987 Bedford Astra
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Bedford Astra
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (87%) | 956 | 2.5% | 0.04 |
| Diesel (13%) | 139 | 14.4% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Bedford Astra vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Bedford Astra vehicles fall between 12,874 and 80,309 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Bedford Astra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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23.7%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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18.7%
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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18.4%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.5%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.5%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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15.5%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.4%
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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12%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Bedford Astra?
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