Vauxhall Astra (2012)
2012 Vauxhall Astra
CarHunch analysed 63,482 real MOT records for the 2012 Vauxhall Astra.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2012 Vauxhall Astra sits just below the UK average at a 78.6% first-time pass rate, which is unremarkable—but the real concern is that nearly half of these vehicles (49.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels for a buyer considering one. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (78.9% and 78.3% respectively), so fuel choice won't be a reliability differentiator here.
At a median mileage of 58,695 miles for a 12-year-old car, these Astras are running below the typical wear profile, yet they're still averaging nearly 3 failures per MOT and 16 advisories, suggesting component fatigue rather than high-mileage abuse. Before buying, insist on a full service history and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on steering, suspension, and braking systems—the categories that typically generate dangerous defects on this generation.
The 2012 Vauxhall Astra has a decent first-time pass rate (78.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 63,482 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 63,482 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 63,482 Vauxhall Astra cars.
Before you buy a 2012 Vauxhall Astra
Based on MOT data from 63,482 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
49.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (51%) | 32,470 | 78.9% | 2.97 |
| Diesel (49%) | 31,004 | 78.3% | 2.88 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 2,112,703 Vauxhall Astra vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Vauxhall Astra vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2012 Vauxhall Astra vehicles fall between 46,057 and 71,930 miles.
2012 Vauxhall Astra — Still on the Road
Most 2012 Vauxhall Astras are still being driven.
44,642 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 73% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2012 Vauxhall Astra stacks up against a rival.