Faults:

Slipping alternator belt in wet/cold weather.

Diesel return grommet on the cylinder head breaks down and leaks fuel into the engine bay.

Really bad misting of front screen in wet/damp weather. You cannot see out-- it's very dangerous.

Front indicator lenses cracked due to proximity of the bonnet.

Some dash lights not working.

General Comments:

It's a good car to drive, a bit sluggish to pull away, very economical.

Faults:

Engine, ECU, brake servo, idle control valve, throttle switch, stepper motor and brake discs.

General Comments:

This range of engine has an intermittent fault which Vauxhall call a characteristic. What happens is that the engine will try to stall when you pull up at a junction. Vauxhall have replaced most parts above to try and cure this fault but to date they have not succeeded.

Brake servo was replaced due to a recall on water getting into the brake system.

Faults:

Had car for 8 months. Nothing mechanically gone wrong, but the car is generally uncomfortable and rattly.

General Comments:

Don't buy a Vauxhall.

Faults:

Replacement engine after 3 years.

EGR valve constantly cleaned every year and replaced every 2 years.

Poor idling of which dealer said was a faulty air pipe, then said that it was a faulty idler valve, then had the car for 2 weeks and replaced the valve again.

General Comments:

After having the car for 2 years it feels like it's spent more time in the garage than being driven.

I will not buy another Vauxhall, this car has put me off them.

Faults:

Sticking rear handbrake.

Oil leak on oil pump.

These were noticed after delivery of the car, I don't think they had done the 114 point Network Q checks correctly or not at all.

Faulty speed sensor - replaced at own cost. When the speed sensor fails, the car can stall at any time.

Faulty deadlocks - replaced at own cost.

Exhaust heatshield fell off.

Heater leaking, could not track down leak so far, steams up windows when it rains, very dangerous.

Plastic handle on seat adjuster has fallen off.

Electric window jammed shut - fixed at own cost.

I took out a Network Q extended warranty, never again. All the faults above were not covered, so that was £200 down the drain.

General Comments:

I have had worse cars and I do use it a lot, so expect things to wear out. Vauxhall dealers seem never to have time for you when servicing/repairing your car. The paint work and rust protection are good, it always looks new. Performance is good and the engine is quiet for a sports model.

Faults:

Sunroof didn't work, crap service meant bad fuel consumption, but Network Q stops me from taking it to a decent garage and stops me from tweaking the engine for a year.

General Comments:

Car is faultless outside and in, performance and servicing brings it down, soon to be sorted though.

Single point low compression engine means it can be chipped and tweaked no end.

Faults:

Constantly slipping alternator belt in the wet. Power steering dies when driven through a big, deep puddle .

The car mists badly in damp weather, to the extent it's dangerous .

General Comments:

Apart from the niggles the 1.7TD is a lovely engine to drive. Pulls like a racehorse on steroids even in 5th.

Can't wait to try one of the new 2.0Di models at my local dealer!

Faults:

Used a lot of oil at the start, but now OK.

Irritating rattles from rear parcel shelf.

General Comments:

Basically a sound, solid car that is nice to drive, and fairly roomy for a 'small family car'.

Performance of 16v engine a little disappointing, but gearing just right for tearing through narrow country lanes!

Our second Astra, and would consider replacing with the new Astra next year.