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Hi everyone. My name is Richard and I’m based in Bristol. I used to work for Welch’s, the main Vauxhall dealer many years ago in the early 80s as a salesman and developed a passion for 80’s Vauxhall’s which has never left me. I now am fortunate enough to own a Low mileage gorgeous Mk 1 Astra GTE 3 door in polar white, unmolested and completely original, a Mk2 Astra GTE 16v, same colour, very low mileage, again completely original and pretty much concourse throughout plus have just completed a full nut and bolt restoration to a 1985 Nova Sport with a mere 47,000 miles. This car is near enough identical to when it was delivered to the dealer new, other than it has the X 17 uprated camshaft which was manufactured in Sweden specifically for Irmscher and an option at the time. They are all driven and not just showpieces.

Hi Earlier this year I purchased a JC Wyvern which is a kit car using the Vauxhall Magnum running gear engine is the 2.3l High Compression slant four. Although the car look grand as he had recently a respray and a so called rebuild, I am now in the process of rebuilding it correctly. I would like to find any other JC owners so please get in contact if you own one or know someone who owns one

Hi everyone, Firstly, thank you for accepting my request to join. A little about me, I’m Craig from Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. My father worked in the local Vauxhall dealer on the island (McKirdy & McMillan) and I spent most of my younger years (1990 - 1998) growing up in amongst Cavaliers, Astras, Novas, Corsas and Carltons. The owner, Jim McMillan and I had a sort of bond and I had the utmost respect for the man and we became good friends despite the massive age gap. He had a white Senator CD annd it was sheer luxury. I still remember the reg no. It was G475 VGD. I loved that car. Unfortunately he took ill and the garage closed down in 1998 and he passed away in 1999 when I was 15. My apprenticeship was served in the local Ford dealer (W. & J. Duncan) then I worked in the Local Renault Dealer (Rothesay Motor Services) before going to work for my Father-in-Law full time driving his cattle float. I’ve owned a few Vauxhalls over the years, a Nova SR, Cavalier CD and two Cavalier LS and after not having owned one for around 20 years I’m starting to look for another Cavalier, Calibra, Vectra or Astra Will see what’s available when I’m actually ready to buy . Looking forward to having a good look around the forum and I’ll probably be looking for some help and advice in the near future.

Hi. Here is a photo of our Astra at the dealership back in December 2025 on the day we agreed to buy it.

Thank you so much, I will look into this in Australia. Any help is greatly appreciated. This is my father’s car, now proudly mine.

Has anyone else noticed how dangerous it is to drive at night with the modern cars emitting light beams that can be seen in outer space (almost)? What do you do to improve the situation? Night (yellow) Glasses, Tinted Windows, break the other cars headlamps ? Let us know what you think - take it away the floor is all yours!

Hi, Last summer I bought an approved second hand electric Mokka. I'm joining to ask questions - which I hope I'll post in the relevant forums! Peter, south coast England

Hiya Not managed to do a thing yet sadly , all of a sudden work has got very busy, on weds morning I'm hoping to send and clean the marks and fill with paint and then colour cut at the weekend. I promise to post progress photos as I go along.

Hello Steve. Welcome to the club. Feel free to post pictures of your car for all to see and admire. Yes as was mentioned in an earlier comment, I have some knowledge on maintenance on the Astra's. I am on my 2nd mk4 Astra, and wish I had got in to them years earlier than I did. I have been doing quite a bit to my beast, which due to its age is just replacing worn out parts. The main thing to do is keep up to date on servicing, and they'll return good mileage back. My Astra is a 1.6 16 valve auto, and has recently hit 242000+ miles, and is 24 years old. Happy motoring.

lol...there's no pleasing everybody for sure!

Thank you for your kind comment, my wife and I were very taken by its look and also the cabin and seats are well fitted and comfy. The dealer tells us it has a factory "XP" kit fitted which I must say gives it a modern and purpose full look , though my Son says the brake discs look tiny thru the big wheels !

Hi all, I’m an individual vehicle owner who’s experienced a wet timing belt–related engine failure and I’m trying to raise awareness and understand how common this issue is across the UK. Independent garages are increasingly talking about wet timing belt degradation (e.g. PureTech, EcoBoost), where belt material breaks down inside the engine oil, blocks the oil pickup, and leads to oil starvation and sudden engine damage — sometimes at relatively low mileage and with little warning. Rather than treating cases in isolation, I’ve put together a voluntary owner reporting page where people can share their experience if they choose. This isn’t commercial research, a survey, or data collection for profit — it’s about consumer awareness, supporting complaints, and helping owners understand whether what they’re experiencing is common. The page also includes guidance on: • what evidence helps if a claim is rejected • who to report issues to • and how others have navigated warranty/manufacturer responses If you’ve experienced something similar and want to share, details are here: 👉 https://sites.google.com/view/wet-belt-failures/home No obligation at all — even comments describing your experience are helpful for discussion. I’m also interested in hearing from mechanics or trade professionals who are seeing this more often.

Hi Steve - welcome to the Club That should definitely blow the cobwebs out and give the battery a top up. @AndyR is your man for older Astra's advice, as and when any maintenance and repairs are needed

I got the mirror replace, as taking off the old mirror , which was clipped in and removing the element cable from the spade connection and replacing the new mirror in reverse, where you connect the heating element cable and clipping the mirror back to the side mirror body. I did struggle ,where i broke the heating element spade cable, so when i had the MOT done, I asked the mechanic to fix it.

Thanks for the guidance. Parts found on Facebook group "Official Astra mk2 convertible owners club.

Hi, Was looking some info if possible. looking to change oil and oil filter Coolant flush and change On a the Crossland x 1.5 diesel 2020. Was wondering what size of sump plug removal tool I need or is there a special one I need. Torque settings etc Has anyone got a step to step quide on how to change the coolant and where to look for bleed valves and anything else that can help etc, I usually use the Haynes manual for guidance but bought the online one for the Crossland x but it’s just a generic one now for any car which isn’t great. Any help/info much appreciated Many thanks ❤️ Robbo

Hi All, Just purchased a 66 plate 1.4 Corsa for my daughter. Lovely vehicle however, noticed that the radio stays on when you turn off ignition (and even when you exit and lock the car). Have disconnected the battery for 30 mins to see if that sorts it but it hasn't. Have also looked in all the settings on the system to see if there is anything triggering it and it seems not. Anyone else experienced or have any ideas what it may be? TIA - Tracy

Hi just joined - didnt know club existed - we have Astra Convertible Bertone 2005 (and Antara 2013) have problems at the moment and mechanics just say too old - get rid !- the convertible had for 13 years been great but now have problem outside door handle not working all electrics and locking working and can open from inside manually (windows drop down naturally when opening - part of roof mechanism) mechanic tried to fix and done damage to the panel - just said get new car - really helpful!) we need an outer handle pull rod which has a small plastic clip which we think is the actual problem) according to vauxhall who have told us the part numbers and who recommended to get in contact with you guys as you may have advice on where we can get one and how to actually fit it, greatful for any ideas - as seem such a small thing to have to get rid of car for but is automatic mot failure. Thank you

After taking all carpet out from side and drying and resealing everything im still getting a puddle here after its rained anybody got any idea where its coming from rear passenger side boot

Hi folks. Stonham Barns is holding Vauxfest again this year. But this year they are allowing club stands too. If anyone is interested in attending the details are to follow.

Today I picked up some 600 grit wet and dry and a power red paint stick and some Isopropol alcohol. Tommorow , I've told the missus if anybody phones for me " he s outside working on the motor ! " I'll sand back the paint chips , clean with IA and then paint in some colour to build up level. Then I'll let it harden as the rest of the wet abd dry from 1000 to 5000 and some polish discs for the drill need to arrive in the post , but I'm hoping to make some very neat paint repairs.

Looking for RYCO filter R2065P. They have been discontinued however many of us would be requiring these into the future to maintain our vehicles and was hoping that members of this club may have sourced a supply option. I am prepared to buy bulk if I can source them. Thank you.

Hiya Went out again in the drizzle to do a bit more , found 2 more chips to repair and the repairs I have done have blended in nicely I need to work more on getting a better shine , but this could be because I started from 600 grit paper where I should have gone no rougher than 1200 grit.but rain has forced me inside and its lunchtime , but if it let's up I'll nip out and have another go. Steve

Hiya. Completely agree some modern headlights are brighter a d more dazzzling the full beam, makes driving at night on B roads very difficult, I would like to upgrade from the standard bulbs my Vauxhall came with and I have found bulbs that are brighter but not searchlight beam strength, safer for other road users. But I agree it's high time this problom was dealt with. Steve

I'm at home till Tuesday morning, powered thru a stack of chores already, little bit of admi to get done and then Gin and Movies evening with the Handbrake. Tommorow I will get back on colour cutting those stone chip repairs on the car and post a few progress photos , also I've a glass cleaning product I've been trying out and I'll post a picture of it, it's been really good so far. Good weekend fellow car enthusiasts.

Crossland 71 plate Had wet belt replaced by dealer £1400. 22/2025 Claimed via vauxhall customer service who have now agreed full reimbursement. You need to keep on at them

And to add, does anybody know idmf DAB radionwas a thing on 2011 astra s? Idblike tonuse it but need to read the manual more or ask on this forum

Hi Peter and welcome.

Nice one. Pity you can't make it, as it would be nice to put a face to your name 🫠.Have a great time though.

Would love to go but I am at Le Mans 24 Hours race that week

Hiya That's great, I will check with work and then get ourselves some tickets. Thanks

always best to leave jobs like this to a day when its warm and dry - maybe July (if we're lucky enough to have another good summer this year) :-)

Hello, just completed our first might time drive in the car from London back to suffolk. Car was lovely well mannered and despite it taking me 2 full minutes before we set off to work out how to turn the headlights on!! ( I know, let me have it chaps ) and a 20 min traffic jam on the M25 car behaved perfectly , though we couldn't stop the heater getting the cabin very warm, no matter what setting we tried, but this is from a man who didn't k ow how to turn the headlights on ,a bit of manual swotting should sort that. Very pleased with this car so far.

Saterday , didn't get as much as I would have liked done, it's my first day back in 10 days and a stack of chores to deal with first , including pruning trees , but I did manage to get a 2nd coat of paint onto the chips where they have dried and sunk in a bit so back up to zlondon tommoroe but all the grades of paper and wheels , polish pads , compound and polish have arrived so I'll take them with .e and see if I can get a bit if colour cutting done in the coming week and post a few photos.

Coming late to the party, but unless you sorted it out, I got the Topdon AD600 from Ebay for £139, has loads of options and lifetime updates, not to mention you can use it on other brands as well, unlike other companies which sell them with car-specific coding (though to be fair those may pick up on more specific codes)

Hiya,is this meeting on again in Suffolk in 2026? It's close by I'd love to come along.

Hiya, after my first night time drive last might in my 2011 Astra I felt the lights were not as bright as my previous lease car which was 2022 though I don't like the annoying trend for dazzling headlights that seems to be prevalent. I will try a set of those Halfords bulbs though, a little more light can only help.

Crikey! that's a punchy engine - the 2.3 Magnum was a real powerhouse and not much could challenge that engine (and car) back in the day (when Vauxhall were heavily into motorsport) Totally agree, you will find out how well (or bad) the car has been built and you can add mods to it as you go along.

Well that's a very good start and you have more patience than I do for those types of repairs. Look forward to seeing the end results once the rest of the materials arrive

Thanks for your reply.

...and how did you get on with it - any end result photos yet?

Hiya , my name is Steve I'm a driver in my 60s and I have just bought my first Vauxhall. I've made 4 short trips in it since delivery in December but tommorow we make a 86 mile drive to London , give that battery a top up ! Looking forward to learning more about the Brand and my new car.

Hi Andy , thank you for posting. I certainly will take you up on your offer for advice , and I'm a monster for regular and proper oil and servicing, on any car I've owned, firm beliver in prevention over cure . I'll post some photos as I go along . Cheers Steve

I would advise to try a second opinion from a specialist as you may end up spending more on parts that may not be needed.

Lovely looking car and looks great in red

Three absolute beauties you have there

Probably need an EVAP smoke machine test to see where the leak is. if its windscreen then they need to pay for the EVAP... if its only started since the window then I would be pointy fingers You might be able to buy an EVAP Smoke test and do it yourself.. have seen a kit years ago.

Lenso S73 18" Alloys. Previously fitted to my Vauxhall Vectra B (1996-2002). 18x7.5. 5x110. ET35. 225/40/ /215/45/18" Pirelli tyres. Silver polished rim. Great condition with slight corrosion on polished rims. Wheel bolts, spigot rings & centre cap removable tools included. £550.

A replacement mirror glass can be purchased to fit directly onto the existing one or for more money you can get a complete replacement glass Never use Superglue as when it hardens it will contract and break the glass

Hi Guys and Gal's We are reaching out to all Vauxhall Owners Club members to see if there are any Vauxhall owners' looking to be a bigger part of the club and help contribute posts or help new members or simply just talk Vauxhall. We are looking for a small team of at least 6 people to be part of the team and encourage more discussion, arrange Vauxhall events within the UK and be part of a growing team. If you would like to be a club team member then message @Vauxhall Owners Club