What's the 1.7-litre Opel Astra CDTi like?

I'm thinking of buying a 2010 Opel Astra 1.7 diesel. What do you think of these cars? Have you driven them? Are they reliable? What sort of trouble do they give?

David Ryan (Clondalkin)

Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi David,

A well-made car the Astra, and quite sweet to drive. Just watch for leaky boot seals letting water in (a fault the Astra shares with the Insignia) and dodgy cruise control that disengages without warning. That 1.7 diesel is economical enough but it's dog rough on the ears and has a habit of stalling when you go to pull out of a junction. Have a try of the 1.3 diesel before you buy - it's a slightly sweeter unit.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe