Faults:

Nothing. The car has low miles and came fully serviced with a new MOT. History shows no nasty repair bills and I hope it stays that way. Very good condition for its age. Unmarked cosmetically inside and out.

General Comments:

2013 Astra, looks like new even in 2026. I found this nice one owner low mileage example at my local used car lot.

Dark blue, "Energy" model. Basic trim level, but has electric windows and alloy wheels, that is all I need. Comfortable seats, good visibility.

1.4i petrol engine is not the fastest, but can move when needed. It also always does 40 mpg + so for petrol I cannot complain. Servicing and repairs are know to be cheap as well. Insurance is as low as it gets also. Very economical car!

Spacious interior. It's nice to drive, I like the looks and handling. Owned one year now and about 8000 miles later - no issues. The car starts on the first crank and the engine is smooth and silent.

I got it for a very reasonable price as well. These are the best type of finds on the used market - a genuine low mileage looked after car! Plan to keep it for years as long as it stays reliable.

Faults:

Oil leak.

Coolant leak at expansion tank (very common to fail).

Misfire - need new coil pack.

Usual wear and tear for mileage = brakes, exhaust, suspension, and so on.

Starting to rust on all arches. But it is 12 years old now.

General Comments:

2013 bright white Astra. Common sight on the roads. A fine car, but nothing exciting.

This Elite model however stands out a bit, it has very nice alloy wheels and a very comfortable interior. Leather and all electrics. The car is very refined on the move. Nice to drive.

1.6 16v petrol engine is a good all rounder, but very dated for a 2013 car. Sounds like something from the 1990's, and performs like one too. Average acceleration (0-60 mph in 10 secs), average economy (39 mpg), average servicing and running costs, average insurance group, average everything!

But look after it well - and this simple petrol engine is reliable. 1.6 is probably the pick of the range as an all rounder (complicated diesels best avoided) Do oil changes and cam-belt on time and you are good for high mileage.

Spacious interior and boot space.

A text book car, not got much more to say. If you find a nice one at a nice price and just want easy to live with hassle free transport, go for it.

Faults:

Oil leak, cam rattle, exhaust, air con won't work, plus all the usual wear and tear.

General Comments:

The GTC Astra is a stunning looking car. Quite a change from the regular Astra.

Mine is black with a nice set of alloy wheels, looks very smart. "Sport" model is rather basic, but the car has enough electrics as expected for a modern car.

To drive the 1.4 turbo will not stun you with amazing acceleration, but it has enough get up and go for everyday driving while doing around 40 mpg. Tax and insurance are reasonable. Repairs can be costly, but find a nice independent garage and you should be OK - these are fairly simple cars to maintain.

The car handles great, but the ride gets a bit too harsh sometimes. Overall a fun car to drive and own, highly recommended.

Faults:

Oil cooler leak (common) about £320 to replace!

Coolant leak (also common, expansion tank fails, not too expensive to replace).

Suspension rattle.

Brakes.

Air con non operative, expected at age and mileage - not bothered to fix.

General Comments:

Mediocre is what the Astra is and always has been, but it is by no means a bad car.

Good looking in bright red, the SRi model is sharp to drive, not exciting but handles better than base models, while still having a comfortable ride (although a bit firm in town) and quiet on the motorways. Interior is also nicely equipped. Spacious also for its size.

1.6 16v petrol engine is plodding, not slow but not fast either. 35 - 40 mpg on average. A bit more reliable than the diesels, so that is a plus point. Tax and insurance are reasonable. Reliable enough if looked after (service on time and timing belt essential).

Value / Depreciation is pretty poor on this car. At this age and mileage - buy one cheaply, run it for a couple of years as an economy car, then scrap at higher mileage with problems, or sell if it is still going and in good condition. Mine is average condition - I will keep it for another year or so. After that, who knows.

So there you have it - the Vauxhall Astra - most average / boring car in the UK used car market.