Comparison · family hatchbacks

Vauxhall Astra vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The Vauxhall Astra does better at the MOT, with a score of 98 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 755,206 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Astra

98Below average
MOT tests625,158

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testVauxhall AstraPeugeot 308
3–5 years
99About average
99About average
6–9 years
98About average
94Below average
10–14 years
100About average
89Well below average
15+ years
94Below average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVauxhall AstraPeugeot 308
202187.5%88.4%
202086.3%86.3%
201984.0%83.5%
201880.8%77.9%
201779.7%75.1%
201676.5%71.2%
201569.6%68.5%
201467.4%63.2%
201366.9%57.2%
201265.2%57.0%
201162.2%57.6%
201059.4%52.3%
200955.9%49.9%
200854.6%48.6%
200753.5%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVauxhall AstraPeugeot 308
Lights & electrics17.819.6
Suspension13.814.2
Brakes13.912.3
Tyres8.99.2
Emissions & leaks7.06.3
Body & chassis5.16.5
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.85.0
Steering1.13.5

Vauxhall Astra: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.9%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.7%

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Astra or the Peugeot 308?

The Vauxhall Astra does better at the MOT, with a score of 98 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 308 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Vauxhall Astra had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Peugeot 308 in 1.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Astra: coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.