80.0%
pass rate across 171,718 tests
75.4% first-time pass rate
70,792 mi median at test
Vauxhall Astra 2015 vs 2018
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 271,492 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
87.5%
pass rate across 99,774 tests
85.9% first-time pass rate
47,504 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Astra passes more — but most of it is age
Across 271,492 tests, the 2018 Astra passes 87.5% of MOTs and the 2015 80.0%. The 2018 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 47,504 miles against 70,792, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is −0.4 points and the 2015 −2.1 — a like-for-like gap of +1.7 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £24–£60 on the 2015 and £29–£68 on the 2018. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 40% of the 2015's recorded faults and 38% of the 2018's. The most common failing part is coil spring on the 2015 and brake pads set on the 2018.
- Pass rate: 80.0% vs 87.5%
- Tests: 171,718 vs 99,774
- Like-for-like: −2.1 vs −0.4 pts
- Median mileage: 70,792 vs 47,504 mi
- Typical repair: £24–£60 vs £29–£68
- Cheap fixes: 40% vs 38%
| Measure | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 171,718 | 99,774 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 80.0% | 87.5% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 75.4% | 85.9% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | −2.1 pts | −0.4 pts stronger figure |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | −2.1 pts | −0.4 pts stronger figure |
| Average mileage at test | 74,724 mi | 51,919 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 70,792 mi | 47,504 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £24–£60 stronger figure | £29–£68 |
| Repairs under £30 | 40% stronger figure | 38% |
| Most common failing part | Coil Spring | Brake Pads Set |
| Variants recorded | 2 | 2 |
| Main fuel | Petrol 67% | Petrol 78% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2015 Astra
- Coil spring fractured or broken 6.1% £25–£65
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 3.4% £5–£20
- Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative 2.5% £45–£95
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.8% £18–£45
- Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning 1.6% £5–£25
2018 Astra
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.9% £18–£45
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.4% £45–£95
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.2% £80–£200
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.0% £45–£95
- Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative 1.0% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 89.9% · 7,337 tests | 92.7% · 18,006 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 82.7% · 51,761 tests | 87.7% · 51,835 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 78.9% · 67,317 tests | 84.4% · 22,068 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 76.8% · 31,286 tests | 83.2% · 5,433 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 77.0% · 13,900 tests | 81.5% · 2,403 tests |
What to check before you buy
2015 Vauxhall Astra
- Coil spring fractured or broken — 6.1% of tests · £25–£65
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 3.4% of tests · £5–£20
- Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative — 2.5% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Vauxhall Astra
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick — 1.9% of tests · £18–£45
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.4% of tests · £45–£95
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 1.2% of tests · £80–£200
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Vauxhall Astra? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Vauxhall Astra →
Or put the Astra against another model: Compare the Vauxhall Astra side by side →