1999 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,996 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Vauxhall Astra, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 70.8% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.7% in the 150k+ group versus 21.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 1,785 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 1,289 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 1,051 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 983 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 720 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 706 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 1,301 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,055 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 834 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 749 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 710 |
| 6 | Wipers | 480 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 43.1% | 4,310 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.6% | 3,262 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 2,708 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.8% | 2,084 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 1,831 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 1,631 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 188 | 21.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,129 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,682 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,777 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,717 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,252 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,108 | 29.1% |
| Diesel | 888 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,372 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 2,484 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 1,822 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 1,352 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 966 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Astra
Before buying a 1999 Vauxhall Astra, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (10.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 9,996 1999 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 1999 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,996 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.