Vauxhall Astra (1991)
1991 Vauxhall Astra
CarHunch analysed 11,302 real MOT records for the 1991 Vauxhall Astra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1991 Vauxhall Astra's first-time MOT pass rate of 58.9% is significantly below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these 30-year-old cars face consistent reliability challenges—though the 10.1% dangerous defect rate isn't alarming by classic car standards. Petrol and diesel variants perform identically (both 58.9%), so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
These Astras are running at a median of 70,524 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're averaging 1.39 failures and 2.8 advisories per test, indicating that mileage alone doesn't explain the weak pass rate—mechanical wear and corrosion are the real culprits. If you're considering one, budget for immediate work on electrics, cooling, and suspension before purchase, and treat any MOT pass as genuinely impressive rather than baseline.
What to check before buying a 1991 Vauxhall 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 Vauxhall Astra
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92%) | 10,368 | 58.9% | 1.4 |
| Diesel (8%) | 932 | 58.7% | 1.25 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 80% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Vauxhall 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 1991 Vauxhall Astra vehicles fall between 38,412 and 94,748 miles.
1991 Vauxhall Astra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 100 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1991 Vauxhall 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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16.6%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.6%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.6%
Oil leak
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13%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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12.2%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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11.1%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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10.7%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1991. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Astra?
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