2003 Vauxhall Astra MOT pass rate: 64.4% (22,312 tests)
Is the 2003 Astra getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 63.4% -1.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 64.8% +0.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 65.4% -0.8 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 Astra
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7,623 | 25.1% |
| 2 | Brakes | 6,467 | 21.3% |
| 3 | Suspension | 6,336 | 20.8% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2,605 | 8.6% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 2,365 | 7.8% |
| 6 | Tyres | 2,050 | 6.7% |
All Astra years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 9,667 | 64.3% | -2.2 pts | 94,204 |
| 2002 | 17,039 | 62.9% | -2.8 pts | 98,438 |
| 2003 (this page) | 22,312 | 64.4% | -0.6 pts | 97,707 |
| 2004 | 24,615 | 62.8% | -1.5 pts | 99,118 |
| 2005 | 45,463 | 60.3% | -4.2 pts | 104,404 |
| 2006 | 67,596 | 59.5% | -4.9 pts | 106,744 |
| 2007 | 108,970 | 61.1% | -4.0 pts | 107,546 |
| 2008 | 110,092 | 62.4% | -2.7 pts | 105,604 |
| 2009 | 108,562 | 63.2% | -3.2 pts | 98,529 |
| 2010 | 145,961 | 66.9% | -0.4 pts | 96,600 |
| 2011 | 130,867 | 69.7% | +0.5 pts | 97,772 |
| 2012 | 149,395 | 72.0% | +0.7 pts | 93,435 |
| 2013 | 170,022 | 73.1% | -0.3 pts | 86,780 |
| 2014 | 154,157 | 73.4% | -2.5 pts | 78,387 |
| 2015 | 139,635 | 75.4% | -3.4 pts | 69,832 |
| 2016 | 166,241 | 81.6% | +0.2 pts | 62,629 |
| 2017 | 136,635 | 84.5% | +0.5 pts | 55,591 |
| 2018 | 89,192 | 85.9% | -0.5 pts | 46,747 |
| 2019 | 62,085 | 88.0% | -0.4 pts | 37,130 |
| 2020 | 7,234 | 90.1% | +0.2 pts | 24,070 |
| 2021 | 3,134 | 90.6% | +0.2 pts | 31,555 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Vauxhall Astra years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Vauxhall Astra reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 64.4% of their MOT tests (22,312 tests, 2023–2025), -0.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 97,707 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Astra?
The median tested example shows 97,707 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2003 Astra?
In this cohort petrols pass 65.2% of tests against 61.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.