1991 · 33 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1991 Vauxhall Astra MOT pass rate and common faults

107 MOT tests in 2024. 86.9% passed first time, compared with 71.1% for all cars the same age.

122Well above average
Passed first time86.9%
Failed or needed repairs13.1%
Typical mileage at test81,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 107 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
  2. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.9%
  3. Washers: not working1.9%
  4. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.9%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.9%
  6. Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive0.9%
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.9%
  8. Flexible brake hoses: leaking on a hydraulic braking system0.9%
    2 marked dangerous
  9. Integral vehicle structure condition: is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced0.9%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
    2 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes9.3%
  2. Body & chassis6.5%
  3. Lights & electrics5.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  5. Seat belts & airbags2.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.8%
  7. Suspension1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.9%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play7.5%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases5.6%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.6%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened3.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Vauxhall Astra?

In 2024, 86.9% of 1991 Vauxhall Astra cars passed their MOT first time, across 107 tests. The average for all 33-year-old cars was 71.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1991 Vauxhall Astra?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; service brake imbalance: across an axle; washers: not working. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1991 Vauxhall Astra reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 122, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).