Hatchback · 2015–2021

VauxhallAstra

Mk7 Astra is a spacious hatch/estate that undercuts Golf money. GSi and SRi Vx-Line scratch the sporty itch without VXR running costs.

Best for: Families and company-car drivers on a budget.

Indicative running costs ~£2,133–£3,055 / year

Power: 150 hp
Economy: 42–51 mpg
Fuel: Petrol
Boot: 285–395 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Commonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

Engine oil

Usually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook

Oil capacity

Typically ~3.5–5.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Vauxhall Astra at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£2,133–£3,055 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£1034/yr @ 51 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£240–£400 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£200–£360 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

8 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
Design / Tech Line 1.0 Turbo Entry triple. 1.0 Turbo · 50–58 mpg	1.0 Turbo	105 hp	50–58 mpg	~£195*
SRi / SRi Vx-Line 1.4 Turbo Common petrols — turbo feed checks. 1.4 Turbo · 42–51 mpg	1.4 Turbo	125–150 hp	42–51 mpg	~£195*
Elite / Elite Nav Comfort kit. Various · 42–55 mpg	Various	105–150 hp	42–55 mpg	~£195*
1.6 CDTi Diesel miles. 1.6 CDTi · 55–65 mpg	1.6 CDTi	110–136 hp	55–65 mpg	~£195*
BiTurbo CDTi Stronger diesel. 1.6 BiTurbo · 50–58 mpg	1.6 BiTurbo	160 hp	50–58 mpg	~£195*
GSi Fast Astra without full VXR costs. 1.6 Turbo · 38–45 mpg	1.6 Turbo	200 hp	38–45 mpg	~£195*
Sports Tourer estate Wagon body. Various · 40–65 mpg	Various	105–200 hp	40–65 mpg	~£195*
Astra K Ultimate / Business Edition Later kit names. Various · 45–55 mpg	Various	105–150 hp	45–55 mpg	~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine1.4 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeCommonly 195/55 R16 – 225/40 R18

Tyre pressureOften ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker

OilUsually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook

Oil capacityTypically ~3.5–5.5 litres

ULEZMost petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Buying a used Astra

1Turbo oil feed and boost leaks on 1.4/1.6
2Sports Tourer estates: check rear suspension
3Confirm Infotainment update status

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Turbocharger oil feed and boost leaks
Water pump and thermostat failures
Infotainment and touchscreen freezes

Vauxhall Astra FAQs

Is a used Vauxhall Astra expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£2,133–£3,055 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Vauxhall Astra need?

Often ~30–36 PSI cold for small hatches; check the sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Vauxhall Astra take?

Usually 5W-30 or 0W-20 meeting the maker approval on the oil cap / handbook. Capacity is Typically ~3.5–5.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Vauxhall Astra problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Turbocharger oil feed and boost leaks; Water pump and thermostat failures. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Vauxhall Astra ULEZ compliant?

Most petrols from ~2006 (Euro 4+) are ULEZ compliant — verify the plate

Owner handbook

Official Vauxhall manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Vauxhall owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More Vauxhall

Corsa

1.2 Petrol

Mokka

1.2 Turbo

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN