Is the Vauxhall Astra ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 710,584 MOT tests, around 68% of Vauxhall Astras still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 20% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 11%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 69% petrol, 31% diesel. Petrol Astras are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Astras are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 68%
- Likely charged
- 20%
- Depends on the car
- 11%
- MOT tests analysed
- 710,584
Check a specific Astra
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Astra ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Astras of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant154 tested | Likely compliant48 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant4,643 tested | Likely compliant1,748 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant18,519 tested | Likely compliant3,011 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant23,658 tested | Likely compliant6,574 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant31,717 tested | Likely compliant14,891 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant36,889 tested | Likely compliant20,046 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant31,757 tested | Check exact car16,423 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant32,090 tested | Check exact car21,650 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant32,578 tested | Likely charged27,356 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant29,230 tested | Likely charged25,234 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant26,801 tested | Likely charged22,941 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant44,200 tested | Likely charged12,912 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant35,463 tested | Likely charged7,280 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant32,899 tested | Likely charged12,627 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant35,224 tested | Likely charged10,915 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant24,005 tested | Likely charged6,187 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard16,234 tested | Likely charged5,086 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard8,450 tested | Likely charged3,157 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard7,270 tested | Likely charged2,255 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard5,794 tested | Likely charged1,419 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard3,612 tested | Likely charged557 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged2,084 tested | Likely charged178 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged1,291 tested | Likely charged124 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged650 tested | Likely charged40 tested |
| 1997 | Likely charged605 tested | Likely charged42 tested |
| 1996 | Likely charged352 tested | Likely charged28 tested |
| 1995 | Likely charged371 tested | Likely charged37 tested |
| 1994 | Likely charged244 tested | Likely charged28 tested |
| 1993 | Likely charged192 tested | Likely charged13 tested |
| 1992 | Likely charged92 tested | Likely charged8 tested |
| 1991 | Likely charged112 tested | Likely charged4 tested |
| 1990 | Likely charged116 tested | Likely charged4 tested |
| 1989 | Likely charged96 tested | Likely charged2 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Astra
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (69% of Astras tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (31% of Astras tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Astras from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (11% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Vauxhall can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Astras fare at the MOT too: see the Vauxhall Astra MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Vauxhall Astra for London: what the MOT data shows
The Vauxhall Astras in this data were first registered between 1989 and 2021. 2013 was the most common year, with 59,936 tests (8% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
Astras from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 67% of the time, at an average of 79,543 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 60% of the time with 97,961 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Astras likely to comply are from 2006. 24,005 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 51% of the time and averaged 110,468 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Astras likely to comply are from 2016. 20,046 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 79% of the time and averaged 59,280 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Astra's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (6.9% of tests); lights and electrics: "not working" (5.9%); brakes: "less than 1.5 mm thick" (3.1%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.0% of tests.
Overall, 65% of Astras passed first time, noticeably below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 84,522 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Vauxhall models
About this data
Based on 710,584 first MOT tests of the Vauxhall Astra carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 710,584 MOT tests say about the Vauxhall Astra and London's ULEZ.
Is the Vauxhall Astra ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 68% of Astras on the road are likely compliant and 20% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Astra years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Astras first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Astra ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Astras from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Astra is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your Astra ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.