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VAUXHALL ASTRA (2012)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 91,949 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,625

£135/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£165

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1248cc Diesel

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1625/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1248cc14 years old91,949 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1248cc)

~55 mpg

£905
Road Tax

Based on 1248cc

£165
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,625
Per month£135/mo
Per week£31/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 14 years old, 78% of VAUXHALL ASTRAs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 91,949 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,582 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars443th of 685(top 65%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models615th of 882(top 70%)
vs national average-4%(82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average+0%(78% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-6%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,582

Average miles

vs

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA has 99,582 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2012 sits between the two at 78%.

VAUXHALL ASTRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202193%2,97027,427 mi
202092%4,47526,991 mi
201989%33,06042,098 mi
201887%51,68652,807 mi
201787%75,17160,945 mi
201685%92,98867,472 mi
201580%81,10575,336 mi
201479%90,89783,696 mi
201379%101,96992,423 mi
201278%91,94999,582 mi
201176%80,762103,274 mi
201074%92,611101,930 mi
200972%70,480103,723 mi
200872%73,447110,589 mi
200771%71,923112,772 mi
200670%44,771110,721 mi
200569%29,377109,353 mi
200471%15,813105,208 mi
200372%13,965107,198 mi
200269%10,704106,657 mi
200171%5,902102,050 mi
200070%3,065102,733 mi
199969%3,316102,882 mi
199870%1,87395,727 mi
199771%1,79090,370 mi
199672%98894,211 mi
199574%1,05596,905 mi
199477%75095,369 mi
199377%54096,579 mi
199284%20790,202 mi
199189%29082,574 mi
199086%29381,120 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA

The 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA is a small family car with a 1248cc diesel engine. 91,949 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 99,582 miles at 14 years old, VAUXHALL ASTRA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA Fuel Costs

The 1248cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,625 135/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £165 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL ASTRA Reliability Trend

Newer VAUXHALL ASTRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA

At 14 years old, the VAUXHALL ASTRA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 91,949 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 100k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 VAUXHALL ASTRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2012)78%£905£165Grp 8-20£1625
FORD FIESTA(2013)77%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£135
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)87%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£180
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2014)80%£905£30Grp 5-15£1340-£285
AUDI A3(2014)86%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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