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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

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.

Yes everything is absolutely original, with the exception of front seatbelts that dad had added in the 1990’s. If you look up Australia’s Great Race history, you will see this beautiful girl as the original winner of the first, inaugural race in 1960. My father is Frank Coad, sadly dad passed in 2021 and I purchased the vehicle from the estate to ensure it remains in the family as was dad’s wishes. Very proud of the amazing history this car holds in Australian motor sport. The cars had to be stock standard to qualify. The race was to show how the ‘everyday family car’ stood up to the ‘gruelling conditions of Australia’ over a continuous 500 mile race. She is special.

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.

Is there any chance that you are resting your foot on the clutch pedal even just slightly

If you would like to put this out to the club as you both live in the same region (Suffolk/Norfolk) and if enough members are interested then we can promote it and then get a club stand if you want?

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 ?

Hiya I had this exact issue with a car I used to own and it needed new wishbones , I'd suggest go to a garage you trust and have then price a repair for you. Steve

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.

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

Lol Mate I'd be happy to sort out your scratches and paint chips and of course that extends to any and every member of this club .

always better to come back to a job once you've had something to eat and drink - and then think that it can wait till another day 🤣

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

You could try the climate control settings otherwise it may be an internal ambient temperature sensor at fault - sometimes they get clogged up with dust and don't give a true reading - should be on the dashboard somewhere - something similar to this (small image of grill on the right hand piccy with the arrow pointing to it) - you can use compressed air to clear of dust, etc but not directly into it as it could damage the sensor

Hi all new member I have a growing concern regarding this wet belt scenario I feel that it is time extreme pressure in some way should be applied to Vauxhall and other manufacturers to get rid of this wet belt whoever thought that this was a good idea I know other manufacturers use it as well as we will find out soon the cars for example bought on PCP of which more and more drivers seem to be going down that road will on average trade in after 4/5 years which means a lot of people buying second are going to experience this wet belt due for replacement not knowing this and continuing driving it with problems arising the average cost of replacing a wet belt is £1000 + where as a timing belt was on average £200 plus there a very few garages willing to tackle the wet belt replacement because of the amount of work on it I think vauxhall should either consider converting back to the timing belt or replace the existing cars with a chain that won’t deteriorate I think it is shocking that the motoring industry thought this was a good idea very poor show VAUXHALL & others Kenny L

Hi chaps My younger brother , a tinkerer of many years scared me off buying a wet belt due to issues with poor oil maintenece and belt degradation. Steve

ah glad the cheaper option paid off and a lot safer in this sort of weather

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

Hello and welcome and thank you for posting the photo of your car , it looks great . How long hav e you owned this car ? Steve

Thank you i got the philips racing gt200 and philips X-treme vision pro150 and they have certainly made a difference Thank you

can anybody tell me which radio upgrade i need to have dab/dab+ to my factory fitted viva 2016 radio single din please

Hi Steve. Yes it is all set to go ahead in june.

Tanks admin i will contact them

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) :-)

So there we were parked up at the supermarket and I casually mentioned to the wife how the car might look even better lowered by 2inchs , she made "that face" and replied " you lower that car and I'm leaving you" just because I've modded a few cars in the past to get better stance and improved handling, might just lea e ot as it is then !

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

...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...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 !

Hiya And thank you very much for your reccomendation. I'm only a month into this car so still getting the feel of it and I've washed it a couple of times so learning the body work and where I can do some stone chip repairs etc but so far and for my first Vauxhall I'm liking the car very much , and so is my wife and she hates cars !!

Wow! I'm totally jealous - superb cars from an era when cars were interesting and were a passion unlike todays' vehicles. Welcome to the club !

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

I am using the secret settings/BC button to get a temperature on screen as the B has know temperature dial on the dash(silly). I have just changed the radiator and temperature gets in the nineties before a slight drop (no fan) thermostat must open, cold weather stopping the fan kicking in after around 10 minutes ticking over?

We had our car just over a year from 2nd hand and it started to go. I never knew what it was, when i accelerated, i got "stop the car" and allsorts and it would cut out (not good on a fast bypass up in the highlands) My pal is a mechanic and the prices he said around gave me the fear. He said play your face at Vauxhall, so i did, one free wetbelt fitted for free, and not a £600+ bill, job done, Maybe grovel to Vauxhall as they realist how garbage a wet belt is.

Owned from new - metallic silver with factory fitted full body styling kit + 19in alloy wheels (snowflake design). Additional spare alloy wheel (purchased when no longer being manufactured). 130,000 miles - still runs extremely well. Bodywork in reasonably good condition for its age. Serviced and MOT'd last month. Excellent tyres - all tyres purchased during this year. Genuine reason for sale - running costs now somewhat of a luxury with only doing approx 2000 miles a year - for some years now. Does need money spending on it due to following issues - Offside & nearside inner drive shaft joints severely deteriorated (MOT minor defects) Nearside rear brake pipe corroded (MOT monitor & repair if necessary - advisory) Alloy wheels (which make the look of the car) could do with refurbishment. Panel on drivers door that operates both front windows not working. Petrol cap disconnected from central locking system as solenoid needs replacing. Wiper motor/linkages need attention as both wipers sweep against/beyond windscreen rubber surround. Water ingress into front passenger footwell. Reason unknown - suspect it may be windscreen seal damage/deterioration (not visible) where wiper blade has swept onto/over the rubber seal. Car needs TLC from a Vectra enthusiast who has the skills to maintain it. It would be such a shame to scrap it as 2.0 SRi petrol variants aren't so common these days - the car genuinely looks good. All offers considered. Tel: 07733 359313.

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

I'm wanting to sell my 1998 Vectra 2.5 V6 Sport in red which I've owned for 25 years but has now been stood for 6 years. No longer used due to corrosion underneath the front end. Car has 115000 miles on the clock with a great engine, gearbox and Magnex exhaust system. Car starts, runs and drives (not on public road) and has no fluid leaks. Interior in good condition with all switches and light in working order. £1500.

i have had plenty of Vaxuhalls over the years and 3 vectra b's - previouly they were just workhorses but last year i got my hads on a nearly mint N plate 1.8 gls with 36k miles and i love it. I have taken her to FOTU 2022 & 2023 and she should be on the odfs youtube channel in the coming weeks https://www.youtube.com/@DougieSRi According to www.howmanyleft.co.uk there are 2 Vectra n Reg's alive built in 1995 and 34 from 1996 (some will be p reg's) so i will make it my lifes work to find the other n plates - can people please let me know if you have one or if you are aware of one? It would be great if we can get a few together at some stage