Faults:

Nothing; I do my own servicing.

General Comments:

This is my 4th Astra. Had Mk1, 2 & 4 models previously, but this is without doubt the best!

Faults:

No problems in time I had the vehicle.

General Comments:

I had this as a works van with 40,000 miles on the clock. Over 18 months I ran it up to 100,000 miles, and the van didn't miss a heartbeat. It was serviced every 12,000 miles, great on diesel (even at work vehicle speeds!!).

Seats were comfortable, great factory fitted CD player/radio.

Only 2 issues I did have were during the winter how long it took for the engine to warm up enough to get heat into the cabin, and (as with all Vauxhalls) the A/C pump packed up on it. Besides these things, when the time came I didn't want to give it back...

Got a Transit Connect now, which is like sitting in a goldfish bowl, and the slowest thing I've ever driven. It's not a patch on the olde Astra Sportive though... The question of would I have another one... OH YES...

Faults:

So far the Astra has given me 4 months of faultless reliable service.

General Comments:

In 4 months of ownership I have been extremely pleased with the Astra. It is reliable and well built, so it should give me a good couple of years of sterling service. Its interior comfort and specification are both very good. The dealer service is excellent and good value for money. It cost me a very reasonable £10,500 and has been well worth the money. But most of all I have been happy with the Astra's pin sharp handling and vigourous performance.

Faults:

Loss of full use of the power steering. Can't get full lock either way without wrestling with the steering wheel. Happened after 2 weeks of ownership. Took the car back to the Vauxhall dealer I bought it from. They tested the car, found that I had a faulty alternator, and thought that this was causing the fault. Ordered me a new one under warranty, couldn't get one from anywhere in the country, tried from Germany, had to wait almost 2 weeks.

The alternator was fitted, and 2 days later the exact same fault happened again, but worse than before. Awaiting an inspection from the dealer.

This is the 2nd Astra 1.7 CDTi I have owned with exactly the same fault. Gave the first one back for this lemon I now own.

Second problem with this car is the boot, as there's some sort of sensor on the locking mechanism that shows if the boot is not locked. This has an annoying warning buzzer on dashboard, that tells you when it is shut, that it is open. I've been told must slam boot more firmly. I think it takes 8 or 9 attempts to shut. This is a poor boot lock, and now it sounds broken inside. Had this fixed for now, and yes the fault was also on my first car too.

Also on my first car, I had every door and window seal changed or bodged up to stop water from entering the car whenever I washed it. Up to now, this car does not leak.

Still trying to get the dealer to understand that there must be a fault on Vauxhall's in general, but I am apparently the only customer to ever complain with any of these faults. Once maybe, but twice? I think Vauxhall have got the problem, what do you say?

General Comments:

Love the looks of the car.

Love the grunt of the exhaust for a diesel.

Love the cruise control fitted on my 1.7 CDTi.

Love the climate control, although as commented, it's a little fiddly to use while driving.

Plenty of room inside.