Used Vauxhall Astra cars for sale or finance at 10.9% APR

In the UK, the Astra comes in two versions – a five-door hatchback and a five-door Sports Tourer estate, with the latter having a larger boot.

Buyers looking at nearly new Astras are likely to come across pre and post-facelift cars. Pre-facelift cars first launched in 2015 and continued on sale until the end of 2019. Facelifted cars arrived in 2020 but changes were extremely minimal so it can be quite tricky to tell the two apart. The only real visual difference is the front grille, where pre-facelift cars have two chrome bars either side of the badge that meet at the edges, while post-facelift cars have single chrome bars flanking the badge in a wing-like pattern.

The Astra is a little less than 4.4 metres long, which is roughly in line with other cars in this class. It measures up a few millimetres longer than the Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308, but a hair shorter than the Ford Focus. The Astra Sports Tourer estate is around 4.7 metres long – again, within a few millimetres of the respective Golf, Focus and 308 estate models.

Despite its relatively city-friendly footprint, the Astra scores well for practicality. Five adults can fit in reasonable comfort, although elbow room in the back seats is in short supply. The rear doors also open wide, so belting in children or their car seats is slightly less of a pain. Cargo room is also generous with a usefully square load area and a ribbed boot floor to stop items rolling about.

Engine choices for the Astra lineup were updated at the end of 2019. All choices are decent so you just need to decide how much performance and what fuel type you'd like.

Vauxhall doesn't have the best reputation for long-term reliability but newer Astras use engines that are also found in various Citroen and Peugeot models – so these engines are well-tested, and they seem to be generally reliable. The majority of nearly new Astra buyers won't come across problems but, if you'd like total peace of mind, consider taking out an extended warranty.

The Astra is a good-value family hatchback that offers lots of space, lots of tech and economical petrol and diesel engines. It's great at long-distance journeys and inner-city commutes, so it's worth considering if you're also looking at cars like the Ford Focus and Kia Ceed.

Yes, the majority of Vauxhall Astras can tow a small caravan. The exact figure depends on the engine and body style you choose – the estate can't tow as much as the hatchback – but the current 1.2-litre petrol can manage a braked trailer weighing up to 1,350kg and the 122hp 1.5-litre diesel with a manual gearbox manages up to 1,450kg. Astras with the older 1.6-litre diesel can tow up to 1,700kg.

Yes, all petrol-powered Vauxhall Astras produced since January 2000 can safely run on E10 fuel.

Yes, the Vauxhall Astra has Isofix child-seat mounting points on the outer rear seats. It's been a legal requirement to have Isofix points since 2012, so all cars manufactured since then will definitely have Isofix points.