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Used Car Expert Rating

Vauxhall Astra (2015 to 2021)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

47
%
B

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

53
%
D

Safety Rating:

59
%
C

Eco Rating:

46
%
A

Reliability Rating:

63
%
D

Running Costs:

80
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

47
%
B

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

53
%
D

Safety Rating:

59
%
C

Eco Rating:

46
%
A

Reliability Rating:

63
%
D

Running Costs:

80
%
A

Summary


The Vauxhall Astra is a medium-sized five-door hatchback and estate. This model was launched in 2015 and was the seventh generation of the Astra model in the Vauxhall family. It received a facelift in the autumn of 2019, and ended production in 2021.

This Astra was the last model developed under Vauxhall’s previous GM ownership, with the all-new 2022 model being built on Stellantis underpinnings shared with the new Peugeot 308. It is built at Vauxhall’s plant in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, which will also not be the case with the next model.

The Vauxhall Astra received mostly positive reviews from the UK motoring media. It was praised for being comfortable, practical and economical, although not as desirable as a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf. The updates made as part of the mid-life update received praise, particularly its range of new engines.

An all-new Vauxhall Astra was unveiled in July 2021, which arrived in the UK in early 2022. Unlike the previous model, this is not built in Britain.

Reliability hasn’t been a strong point for the Astra of late. In the 2021 What Car? reliability survey, it was ranked second-to-last (23rd out of 24 cars) in the family car category. The previous year wasn’t much better, where it placed equal 19th out of 24 cars.

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Key specifications


Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £18,890 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Autumn 2019
Ended production: Autumn 2021


Media reviews


Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Autocar

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Motors.co.uk

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Parkers

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The Sunday Times

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The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 84%
Vulnerable road users: 83%
Safety assist: 75%

Notes on safety rating

The Vauxhall Astra was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2015. However, this rating expired in January 2022 as the Astra no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Vauxhall Astra to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating


No eco rating

The Vauxhall Astra was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

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Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of February 2024, the Vauxhall Astra has a below-average reliability rating of 59%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both this generation Astra and also to (pre-2015) generations, which is good news if you are considering a used Vauxhall Astra.

Average repair bills for the Astra are reasonably inexpensive at just under £600, although this is still more than the price of a used car warranty so it’s worth considering.

Unfortunately, the most common problems for warranty claims are engine issues, which are also expensive with an average repair bill of nearly £1,100. Gearbox repairs are also expensive, averaging about £1,000.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Vauxhall Astra received

2020

  • Carbuyer Awards – Best Used Car

2017

  • What Car? Awards – Best Family Car
  • Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2016

  • European Car of the Year
  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Small Hatch
  • Auto Express Awards – Best Compact Family Car
  • Carbuyer Best Car Awards – Best Family Car
  • Car Tech Awards – Tech Car of the Year + Best Self-Parking System + Best Safety Innovation
  • Autocar Awards – Game-Changer Award
  • What Car? Awards – Best Buy Under £18,000
  • Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Car
  • Telegraph Cars Awards – Best Estate Car

2015

  • Golden Steering Wheel Awards – Best Compact Car

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Vauxhall Astra, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Peugeot 308 | Renault Mégane | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Suzuki Swace | Toyota Auris | Volkswagen Golf

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The Vauxhall Astra (2015 – 2021 model) received mostly positive media reviews, praised for being comfortable, practical and economical.Vauxhall Astra (2015 to 2021)