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Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Opel Astra K: the buying guide

Hatchback · 2015–2021 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 42 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
3.0/5
Estimated monthly cost
€392/month
Indicative prices
€7,000 – €12,000

5 known faults

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Opel Astra K, front three-quarter view

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Buy with care

Compact car rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2015, with a 370 L boot in saloon form and 540 L in the Sports Tourer estate. Used-car guides flag engine failures on the first 1.4 Turbo 150 hp, and a 1.6 CDTI sensitive to its timing chain tensioner, DPF and EGR. The 1.4 Turbo 125 hp is considered the right petrol compromise; a complete service history is essential.

Reliability
3.0/5
Indicative prices
€7,000 – €12,000
Monthly cost
€392
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.4 Turbo 125, 1.6 CDTI 136.

  • 1.0 Turbo 105

    Petrol · Manual · 105 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Three-cylinder turbo of 999 cm³ and 170 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 11.2 s.

  • 1.0 Turbo 105 Easytronic

    Petrol · Automatic · 105 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Same three-cylinder with the Easytronic 3.0 automated manual gearbox, which the Autoscore site advises avoiding (jerky shifts, reliability).

  • 1.4 Turbo 125

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 125 hp · 5.5 L/100 km · 127 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Four-cylinder 1.4 turbo with 230 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 s. Judged the right petrol compromise by Fiches-auto.

  • 1.4 Turbo 150

    Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.4 Turbo 150 hp, 6-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 s. Engine failures reported on the first series (see faults).

  • 1.4 Turbo 150 BVA6

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.4 Turbo 150 hp with 6-speed automatic gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 s.

  • 1.6 Turbo 200

    Petrol · Manual · 200 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 Turbo of 1,598 cm³ and 300 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 s and 235 km/h top speed.

  • 1.6 CDTI 110

    Diesel · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 CDTI diesel with manual gearbox. Timing chain, DPF and EGR to watch (see faults).

  • 1.6 CDTI 136

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 136 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 CDTI with 320 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 s. Fiches-auto judges it the best diesel compromise, subject to upkeep of the timing chain, DPF and EGR.

  • 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo 160

    Diesel · Manual · 160 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 CDTI BiTurbo with 350 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 s. Dropped from the range in 2018.

  • 1.2 Turbo 130

    Petrol · Manual · 130 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Three-cylinder 1.2 Turbo from the 2019 facelift (also in 110 and 145 hp), 6-speed manual gearbox only.

  • 1.4 Turbo 145 CVT

    Petrol · Automatic · 145 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.4 Turbo with 145 hp from the 2019 facelift, offered only with a CVT automatic gearbox.

  • 1.5 Diesel 122

    Diesel · Manual · 122 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Three-cylinder 1.5 diesel from the 2019 facelift (also available in a less powerful version).

  • 1.5 Diesel 122 BVA9

    Diesel · Automatic · 122 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.5 diesel with 122 hp and 9-speed automatic gearbox, a first for Opel.

Market prices

€7,000 – €12,000

Indicative range: 2015 to 2021, yearly medians of 257 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Engine failures on the first 1.4 Turbo 150 hp

Severity 3/3 · Serious

Fiches-auto notes an abnormally high number of engine failures on the 1.4 Turbo 150 hp, without having identified the cause, and CarVerif reports documented cases of failure at low mileage on the first series. Honest John reports a piston failure on a 2016 Astra 1.4T automatic at 29,000 miles, repaired under warranty. Check the oil level and how much oil the engine uses between oil changes.

Versions
1.4 Turbo 150, 1.4 Turbo 150 BVA6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Timing chain tensioner on the 1.6 CDTI

Severity 2/3 · Costly

On the 1.6 CDTI, the timing chain tensioner is not very durable and causes noises that alert the driver. CarVerif cites the 1.6 CDTI 110 from 2015 to 2018 as the highest-risk version and advises avoiding a car that makes a chain noise.

Versions
1.6 CDTI 110, 1.6 CDTI 136, 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo 160
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

DPF and EGR on the 1.6 CDTI

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The 1.6 CDTI is reported for particulate filter clogging, particularly on short journeys, and for faults with the EGR valve and cooler. Symptoms cited include hard starting, limp mode or cut-outs under load.

Versions
1.6 CDTI 110, 1.6 CDTI 136, 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo 160
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Front airbag recalls

Manufacturer recall

In the UK, 2016 Astras were recalled because the passenger airbag might not deploy as intended in a frontal impact. Astras built between 25 August and 1 December 2016 were also recalled because the front side airbags might not deploy properly: the airbag module is replaced. Check that these recalls have been carried out.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 Turbo 105, 1.0 Turbo 105 Easytronic, 1.4 Turbo 125, 1.4 Turbo 150, 1.4 Turbo 150 BVA6, 1.6 Turbo 200, 1.6 CDTI 110, 1.6 CDTI 136, 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo 160
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty window regulators

Manufacturer recall

Window regulator failures are among the defects most often cited by owners on Fiches-auto, and CarVerif mentions faulty window motors that have been the subject of recalls.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 Turbo 105, 1.0 Turbo 105 Easytronic, 1.4 Turbo 125, 1.4 Turbo 150, 1.4 Turbo 150 BVA6, 1.6 Turbo 200, 1.6 CDTI 110, 1.6 CDTI 136, 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo 160, 1.2 Turbo 130, 1.4 Turbo 145 CVT, 1.5 Diesel 122, 1.5 Diesel 122 BVA9
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Opel Astra”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€135
Insurance€94
Maintenance€58
Depreciation€105
Total per month€392

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€135

1.4 Turbo 125 version: combined consumption of 5.5 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

5.5 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €135

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€94

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€58

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€105

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Start the engine cold and listen to the timing: on a 1.6 CDTI, a persistent chain noise should make you walk away or negotiate.
  • On a 1.4 Turbo 150 hp, check the oil level and ask how much oil the engine uses between oil changes.
  • On a diesel, check during the test drive for the engine or DPF warning light and for limp mode, and have the fault codes read.
  • Have Opel check, using the serial number, that the airbag recalls have been carried out, especially on an Astra built in 2016.
  • Operate all electric windows several times.
  • On an Easytronic, check that gear changes are clean and free of jerks.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Do you have the service invoices, with the dates and mileage of the oil changes?
  • Have the timing chain, DPF or EGR valve already been replaced?
  • Have the recalls (airbags in particular) been carried out at Opel?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Golf

VII · 2012–2020

Buy with care
Price
€7,200 – €18,800
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Peugeot 308

II · 2013–2021

Extra caution
Price
€6,500 – €13,000
Reliability
2/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0

Renault Mégane

IV · 2016–2023

Buy with care
Price
€9,500 – €23,900
Reliability
3.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ford Focus

IV · 2018–2025

Good choice, check first
Price
€10,800 – €20,000
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Opel Astra K (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Euro NCAP rating for the Opel Astra K?

5 stars in 2015, with 86% for adult occupant protection, 84% for children, 83% for pedestrians and 75% for safety assist systems.

What is the boot capacity of the Astra K?

370 litres for the 5-door saloon and 540 litres for the Sports Tourer estate, which rises to 1,630 litres with the rear seats folded.

Which engine should I choose for a used Astra K?

Fiches-auto considers the 1.4 Turbo 125 hp a good petrol compromise and the 1.6 CDTI 136 hp the best diesel compromise. The first 1.4 Turbo 150 hp is flagged for engine failures, and the 1.6 CDTI requires checking the timing chain, DPF and EGR.

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