Used Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible review and buying guide (2000 to 2004): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible should you buy?

The 1.8 is the lesser risk, because its known weak spot is an exhaust manifold that cracks, which is a repair bill rather than an engine failure. The 2.2 Z22SE built before March 2002 is the one to be wary of: an undersized oil spray nozzle could block and leave the timing chain running without oil, and that's the most serious fault this car has.

Body style is down to taste. The convertible arrived in spring 2001 and looks much better than the coupe. The ordinary non-Turbo coupe is a dull thing that's let down by how it drives, and the whole range comes across as rattly, crashy and unfinished, so don't expect a polished car whichever you pick.

The Turbo coupe came out in November 2000 and the Turbo Convertible followed in March 2002. It's much better to drive than the ordinary versions, but it uses a different 2.0 engine that there's very little evidence on either way, so don't assume it's the safe one. Judge each Turbo on its paperwork and how it runs.

Which Astra Coupe/Convertible engines are the safe choices?

The 1.8 petrol (engine code Z18XE) is the safer engine, as long as the exhaust manifold's sound. It's prone to cracking between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, and because the catalytic converter is built into it, the replacement isn't a small job: Vauxhall quoted £700 for one. A cracked one shows up as a loud exhaust on acceleration, fumes inside the car or an engine warning light.

The 2.2 Z22SE is the one to be careful with. Engines built before March 2002 can starve the timing chain of oil, which usually shows between 60,000 and 100,000 miles as a loud rattle at start-up or idle, misfires and a warning light. An early 2.2 that's had the fix carries a modified bolt, so don't buy one without proof it's been done.

There's also a warning that the 2.2's ignition control unit can burn out, so on a 2.2 that misfires or cuts out, don't take the seller's word that it's a simple fix. That's one more reason the 1.8 is the easier car to own, even with its manifold to check.

What should you check when viewing a used Astra Coupe/Convertible?

Hear it start from cold. On a 2.2, a loud rattle on start-up or at idle points to the timing chain. Ask the seller not to run it before you arrive, start it yourself, and check the dashboard for an engine warning light once it's running. A rough idle or misfire on a 2.2 needs explaining before you go further.

On a 1.8, accelerate hard through the gears with a window open and listen for a loud exhaust note from up near the engine. Then sit with it idling and the windows shut: any smell of exhaust fumes inside the car is a sign the manifold has cracked, and that's the part with the catalytic converter built in.

There's a 2001 service bulletin covering alternator voltage spikes that could kill the camshaft sensor; the fix reroutes the cam and crank sensor wiring away from the alternator, round the front of the airbox. Ask for proof that work was done. On an early 2.2, ask for receipts for the timing chain fix and get shown the modified bolt, which has small nicks cut into the corners of its hex head.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.