1999 Vauxhall Astra CD from UK and Ireland - Comments

Loads of problems!

Traded my perfectly good 206 for an Astra with no service history, I was conned by this bloke and yes I feel stupid. The petrol consumption is disgusting drinking £5 petrol a day and the journeys are minor. Have spent near £300 at Vauxhall on repairs for random bits.

The Vauxhall garage now asking for £350 to change a gasket and a sensor, they said the sensor is faulty and sitting 3mm too far away. I bought the part to fit myself for £60, then when I went to fit it using a manual and found the sensor wire isn't even there at all!!! (are they too taking me for a mug?)

I just want a car that runs properly. The problem is the revs have never gone below 1000 on idle when patently it should be 750. Plus my alternator has a bracket missing, which made it loose, which is why that meant my auxiliary belt snapped and I had to pay £250 to get it towed to my home. Way too much hassle, wish I had kept my old car.

I've had the Astra for 3 months!!!

The 206 I had for a year without any problems at all.

Peugeots are notoriously unreliable too, just look at some of the reviews on this site, or any survey such as JD Power where Peugeot constantly finish in the bottom 10 or even bottom 5 manufacturers. The 206 is a very poor car in my opinion, better off with an Astra (or even better something Japanese), although you have been unlucky on this occasion I admit!

You paid 250 Quid for a tow home just because your Alternator Belt snapped. I would have put a new Belt on at the Roadside.

By your own admission bought a car with no service history.

A car without a service history is more likely to

be "clocked" or have missed services.

Furthermore, assuming the mileage is correct at 84,000 when you bought this car, the mechanical problems you have encountered are not unreasonable for this sort of mileage.

I have recently bought one of these and to be honest I can't fault it; it's comfy, goes like a dream, and having owned several Golf's in my time and being a VW lover, I reluctantly have to say that this is superior, although maybe not as trendy.