Opel Astra L 1.2 Turbo, 130 PS, 6-speed manual (2022–2026)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Opel Astra L (2021-): known problems and buying guide

  Buy only after a VIN check shows every recall closed, especially the fuel-leak and diesel chain campaigns.

• Engine guide Stellantis 1.2 PureTech (EB2) petrol: problems, costs and what to check

  Buy only with belt invoices, a clean oil check and proof of on-time servicing, because the wet belt can destroy the engine.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Check the VIN for fuel-leak recalls KUU and KRX. A fuel smell, damp stains near the high-pressure hose or an open campaign is a bad result.
2. Test keyless entry from cold and lock the car from a distance. A key that is not recognised, or an alarm that fires by itself, is a bad result. A battery tester helps; a scanner is needed if warnings are stored.
3. Compare the speed-limit display with the signs. Check that the over-the-air update KWS is installed. No scanner is needed.
4. Use the sat-nav and screen for the whole test drive. A freeze, a restart or a stuck parking beep is a bad result. Check the software version on the screen; no scanner is needed.

From the engine guide

1. Belt or chain, then belt history (no scanner). The engine code is in field P.5 of the registration document: EB2LTED and EB2LTEDH2 have a chain, every other code a wet belt. Ask for a dated belt invoice with mileage and check belt width through the oil filler. Bad: no invoice, a belt older than 6 years or past 100,000 km, or a rough, grey or frayed belt. Budget 800-3,000 EUR (Germany, 2026).
2. Oil use (no scanner). Check the level before and after a long drive and ask for refill records. Bad: more than 0.5 L per 1,000 km, blue smoke at cold start, or no records.
3. Turbo (test drive). Listen for a whistle and watch for blue or grey smoke under load. Bad: smoke, a whistle or low power from a blocked oil feed.
4. Brakes (test drive). Press the pedal after a cold start. Bad: a hard pedal with little assistance from a blocked brake vacuum pump.
5. Oil and service records. Check the oil spec and service dates on the invoices. Bad: overdue service, wrong oil, or no stamps. Overdue servicing can void the extended warranty.
6. Fault codes (scanner). Read the fault memory for timing or misfire codes. Bad: stored timing codes. A clean memory does not prove the belt is good.
7. Recall check (no scanner). Enter the VIN in the official recall checker for the car's country. Bad: an open belt or brake-vacuum campaign.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions