Opel Astra H (2004-2010): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2004–2007
Median price: €2,000
Listings: 1,138
Running cost per month: €431–€485
Power: 90–140 PS (66–103 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

Buy only with service records, and check the M32 gearbox, cam phasers and steering column module first.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.6 Twinport, 105 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€431	€1,900	365	Petrol	Z16XEP	Manual (5)	2004–2007
1.4 Twinport, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€444	€1,750	179	Petrol	Z14XEP	Manual (5)	2004–2007
Twintop 1.8, 140 PS, 5-speed manual, convertible Research	€462	€2,800	87	Petrol	Z18XER	Manual (5)	2006–2007
1.8, 125 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€468	€1,870	71	Petrol	Z18XE	Manual (5)	2004–2005
Caravan 1.8, 125 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€466	€1,870	71	Petrol	Z18XE	Manual (5)	2004–2005
1.8, 125 PS, 4-speed automatic Research	€485	€3,299	52	Petrol	Z18XE	Automatic (4)	2004–2006
Caravan 1.8, 125 PS, 4-speed automatic Research	€472	€3,299	52	Petrol	Z18XE	Automatic (4)	2004–2006
1.8, 140 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€455	€2,100	52	Petrol	Z18XER	Manual (5)	2005–2007

At a glance

Years: built 2004 to 2010. The facelift came between late 2006 and February 2007.
Reliability: 3/5. Several known faults. The gearbox and steering column repairs are the costliest.
DIY: 2/5. Gearbox bearing repair is a specialist job. The main faults have no simple home fix in the sources.
Prefer: cars with a service record showing regular oil changes. Avoid: an M32 manual with a whine or hum, and a Z16XER or Z18XER that rattles at start-up.
Biggest risk: M32 gearbox bearing wear, from about 100,000 km.

Engines and gearboxes

1.4 Twinport, Z14XEP, 90 hp: the timing chain can stretch early after frequent short trips.
1.6 Twinport, Z16XEP, 105-115 hp: the ignition coils fail often and are a typical weak point.
1.6, Z16XER (post-facelift): cam phasers rattle, the oil cooler seal under the exhaust manifold leaks, and the ignition module can fail from 50,000 km.
1.8, Z18XE (pre-facelift, 125 hp) and Z18XER (post-facelift, 140 hp): the Z18XER has cam phasers, and the oil cooler seal can leak on XER engines.
2.0 Turbo, Z20LEL (170 hp) and Z20LER (200 hp): fitted with the M32 six-speed gearbox.
1.3 CDTI, Z13DTH, 90 hp: the EGR valve can coke up.
1.7 CDTI, Z17DTH, 100-125 hp: the alternator can fail.
1.9 CDTI, Z19DTH, 120 or 150 hp: EGR valve coking, and swirl flap and alternator problems, mainly on cars built up to 2005.

Gearboxes:

F17 five-speed manual: fitted to the non-turbo petrols.
M32 six-speed manual: fitted to the turbo and diesel versions. Its bearings wear, see below.
Easytronic: an automated manual on engines up to 1.6 litres, with clutch and actuator failures.
Aisin four-speed automatic (1.8 only): on cars built 2004 to 2007, the radiator can leak oil into the coolant.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
M32 six-speed gearbox bearings	M32 six-speed manual (turbo and diesel)	Around 100,000 km	599 EUR (year not stated); 30,000-60,000 RUB (year not stated)
Steering column module	All engines	Not stated	20,000-40,000 RUB (year not stated)
Cam phasers on XER engines	Z16XER and Z18XER	From about 30,000 km	30,000-35,000 RUB (year not stated)
Easytronic clutch and actuator	Easytronic, engines up to 1.6 litres	Not stated	15,000-30,000 RUB for a contract unit (year not stated)
Alternator on diesels	1.7 and 1.9 CDTI	From about 140,000 km (1.7 CDTI)	27,000 RUB for a new generator (parts, January 2012)
Ignition module	1.6 Z16XEP and Z16XER	50,000-70,000 km (Z16XER)	12,100 RUB for a new module (parts, January 2012)

Before you buy

Listen to the M32 gearbox on the test drive for a whine or hum. Ask for proof that the gearbox bearings were checked or replaced.
Check that the horn works and that no airbag warning light is on. Ask whether the steering column module was repaired.
On a Z16XER or Z18XER, listen for a rattle at start-up on a cold engine. Ask for proof of cam phaser and valve work.
Test the car in town traffic: it should pull away and shift smoothly. Ask whether the Easytronic clutch and actuator were replaced.
On a diesel, check that the battery warning light goes out after start. Look at the right splash guard for damage, and ask whether the generator was replaced.
Ask for ignition module and spark plug records on a 1.6 Twinport or Z16XER.
Ask an Opel dealer (Vauxhall in the UK) to check the car's VIN for the Takata airbag recall. The repair is free.

Running costs

Operational	€200
Workshop	€131
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€114
Total per month	€445
New-car depreciation (not included)	€43

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 1,138
25th percentile: €1,399
Median price: €2,000
75th percentile: €2,899
Median mileage: 185,000 km
Median first registration: 2006
Dealer share: 27.8%
Price at 100,000 km: €3,071

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

M32 six-speed gearbox bearings

The six-speed M32 manual is fitted to the turbo and diesel versions. Its shaft bearings wear. The sign is a whine or hum while driving, often from around 100,000 km. The fix is new bearings. A specialist repair costs 599 EUR with 12 months warranty (year not stated), or 30,000-60,000 RUB (year not stated).

Sources: Auto.ru, Auto.ru, m32.de, PistonHeads

Steering column module

The steering column module is the electronics behind the steering wheel. When it fails, the horn and the wheel buttons stop working and airbag warnings can appear. It can fail at low mileage. Fixes range from resoldering or a steel support bracket (from 2009) to a new module. A repair costs 20,000-40,000 RUB (year not stated).

Sources: Auto.ru, Auto.ru, Za Rulem

Cam phasers on XER engines

Cam phasers are the adjusters that change the valve timing. On the post-facelift 1.6 and 1.8 XER engines they wear. The first sign is a rattle at a cold start, from about 30,000 km. Later the engine can lose power. The fix is new phaser gears and both control valves, about 30,000-35,000 RUB (year not stated).

Sources: Auto.ru, Auto.ru, Kolesa.ru

Easytronic clutch and actuator

Easytronic is a manual gearbox with a clutch and gear shifts done by a motor. Its clutch and actuator (the unit that works the clutch and moves the gears) wear out, and problems usually appear after 8 to 10 years. A used actuator unit costs 15,000-30,000 RUB (year not stated).

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Auto.ru, Kolesa.ru

Alternator on diesels

The alternator charges the battery. On the 1.7 CDTI it can fail from about 140,000 km. The 1.9 CDTI is affected too, mainly cars built up to 2005. Its rectifier (the part that turns the alternator output into direct current) can burn out when the right splash guard under the engine is damaged and road dirt gets in. A new alternator costs 27,000 RUB as a part; a dealer replacement costs 29,550 RUB (both January 2012).

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Carwiki, Za Rulem

Ignition module

The ignition module makes the spark. It is a typical weak point of the 1.6 petrols. It cracks at its ends, and worn spark plugs overload it. On the Z16XER it often fails at 50,000-70,000 km. A new module costs 12,100 RUB as a part; dealer work costs 12,780 RUB (both January 2012).

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, Za Rulem, Za Rulem, Za Rulem

Recalls

Campaign	Country	Code	Years	What is done
Takata airbag inflators	UK (Vauxhall)	not given	2005-2013	Free airbag replacement at a dealer, in phases. Covers the Astra H and Astra H Twin Top.

Maintenance

Engine oil: on XER engines, change the oil every 7,500 to 10,000 km rather than every 15,000 km.
Spark plugs: replace them every 30,000 km and check them at each 15,000 km service. Worn plugs overload the ignition module.