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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.

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

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

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 everyone from Australia. I have a 1960 Cresta, and very proud of her. I have recently found that the oil filter for her is no longer made. I am really hoping that others with Cresta’s have found either a supplier of an alternative or the collective buying power of special orders. This filter fitted the PA / PAY motors as well as a number of Bedfords. May well have been used in many others I am not familiar with. The RYCO filter number I have is R2065P. I am prepared to purchase in bulk. If members are happy to pass the word on I would be very grateful. Thank you for your help.

Hi, very odd problom, with so much computers and software and sensors etc in modern cars it's difficult to resolve issues , one would have thought this issue would have arisen in development and either dealt with then of a fix found . All the best with a solution mate , even if they do end up owing you a new car.

I'm having the same issue with a 71 plate crossland that I bought September 25. It only happens in wet conditions at around 55mph when going into 5th gear. In that period the car has been back for at least a month on and off where the sensor was replaced, then the clutch with another new sensor and still the release clutch message appears under the conditions above. The car is under warranty luckily but the still have the car and can't figure it out. I'm at the point now where I'm fed up as I have a car that I cannot drive above 50mph with out the problem occurring. I have said to them if there's no resolve I am wanting a refund or an exchange for another car. If they can't figure it out who can ?

Thank you very much. The car has done 62,000 miles. I think that may be when issues like worn CV joints start occuring plus the roads in this area are absolutely full of deep potholes which obviously doesn't help

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.

I'll drive my car up to you when you've mastered it :-)

Hiya Thanks I will give the ambient sensor a try . Cheers 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

Welcome to the club. That is a nice looking beast. Love the reg.

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

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.

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, 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.

Hi, welcome to the club. Halfords sell upgraded bulbs that would be a direct fit and will instantly improve visibility...they can even fit them for you so you would be able to see the difference against the standard one

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.

Wow, that looks a really fun car, I owned a GTM spyder for a while withe 1.8VVT engine and it was built by a Lotus engineer so it was better tha many I'd seen, but sometimes a tear down and reassemble is the best way to get the car the way you would want it. Have fun and all the best with it.

Thanks for your reply.

Took our first long drive (87 miles) in our 2011 Astra J today and I must say the car was a pleasant place to be , queit smooth , free of Drama , radio with TA now and again. We had sat the car since Dec 19th last year with a handful of small 2 to 3 mile drives , so I was pleased to give a run out, get a bit of charge into that battery. Steve

Lovely looking car and looks great in red

Hi...and welcome to the Club Interesting to read your history with Vauxhalls, from the era when they were great cars to work on. Droopsnoot Firenza, always wanted one and now wouldn't be able to afford one....good luck with your search for a classic Vauxhall. Feel free to jump into any post you feel you can answer or add your opinion, wisdom, etc. Great to have you onboard !

Three absolute beauties you have there

Hello All. Glad to be part of this group

Thanks for reply i will have to go searcing again .saw video of pvc valve on peugeot puretech engine but valve is not in same place on vauxhall puretech

Hello Are there any Owners meets in North Essex or Suffolk? I'm new to Vauxhall ownership so keen to get the advice of the more experienced, and I always enjoy a good owners club meet up.

Now that the old girl has a new lease of life. I thought i'd give her a clean up and add some stripes to break up that silver a bit. And she has just made another milestone. 240000 miles. Not bad for a 23 year old.

Thought I'd introduce myself quickly. 2014 Insignia owner (two or three previous owners), very happy with it overall. Joined up to get help with a specific issue (I'm really not a car person so limited knowledge) but, after reading through some of the threads here, there's clearly a lot of very useful things to explore! I'm not likely to post much, I don't know anything useful about cars to share with you all!

If it's any help, I bought a chip from a German company called racechip+for £200 ,just plug the wiring harness into your car at 4 points ,follow diagram, took 10 minutes, my gtc has 170bhp now instead of 140 bhp ,they also do one that would have given me 235 bhp mine has been in 3 years now ,you also get an app for your phone so you can connect to the chip by Bluetooth and change the settings of the chip

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