Vauxhall Astravan (2006)
2006 Vauxhall Astravan
CarHunch analysed 6,592 real MOT records for the 2006 Vauxhall Astravan. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Astravan's 71.1% first-time pass rate is notably weaker than the 80% UK average, and the real concern here is that 39% of these vans have experienced a dangerous defect at some point—well above the threshold where reliability becomes a genuine buyer worry. Diesel variants make up virtually all of the cohort and show no meaningful difference in performance.
These vans are now approaching 18 years old and sitting at a median mileage of just under 110,000, which is reasonable for the age, but the average of 4.77 failures per test tells you these are machines that need proper maintenance and won't coast through MOTs trouble-free. The high advisory count of 24.6 per vehicle reflects typical wear on an ageing van platform. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection by a diesel-specialist mechanic focus on the cooling system, fuel injectors, and engine internals—the most common cost traps on ageing Vauxhall diesel units.
What to check before buying a 2006 Vauxhall Astravan
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.
- ⚠️ 39% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Astravan
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 6,502 | 71.2% | 4.76 |
| Petrol (1%) | 81 | 68.6% | 5.17 |
| LPG (0%) | 8 | 69.6% | 4.75 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 58.8% | 7 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Vauxhall Astravan 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 2006 Vauxhall Astravan vehicles fall between 89,006 and 133,038 miles.
2006 Vauxhall Astravan — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,104 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% 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 — 2006 Vauxhall Astravan
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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79.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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76.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.5%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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54.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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53.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.5%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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47%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Astravan?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.