2017 Vauxhall Astra

THE ASTRA MOST PEOPLE NEVER FIND. Search for a 2017 Astra and you will scroll past hundreds of 1.0 and 1.4 cars in plain trims. The one worth having is the 150ps 1.4 Turbo in SRi VX-Line trim, and when we checked there were only a handful for sale in the whole country. The nearest to us is 39 miles away, has similar miles and is priced at £7,970. This one is £7,100. 2017 (17) Vauxhall Astra 1.4i Turbo 150 SRi VX-Line 5-door, six-speed manual, in Lava Red. 49,295 miles, 2 former keepers, 2 keys, HPI clear. WHY THE 150 TURBO It is the engine that makes the Astra feel properly quick without punishing you at the pumps: 150ps, a slick six-speed gearbox and an official combined figure of 51.4mpg. It is also chain-driven, so there is no cambelt bill waiting for you down the road. WHY VX-LINE The VX-Line pack is what makes this look like the hot one: deeper front and rear bumpers, side sills, a roof spoiler and 18-inch twin-spoke alloys, with LED daytime running lights up front. Inside you get sports seats, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and a 7-inch IntelliLink touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so your maps and music come straight from your phone. DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers are all here too. THE SERVICE BOOK Eight stamps for 49,000 miles, which is one a year, every year. The first six were all carried out at the same Vauxhall authorised repairer, and the book has been kept up since. We carry out a full service before you collect it and it leaves with a NEW 12-MONTH MOT ON SALE. It is in good condition for its age and mileage, mileage warranted, V5 present. HOW IT COMPARES We read the rival adverts before pricing. The closest match is £870 dearer. The next nearest are over 85 miles away, one with 67,000 miles at £6,290 and one with 48,000 miles at £7,480. Most of them are a list of features in capital letters or a block of finance small print, and not one explains the service history. THREE YEARS OF COVER, INCLUDED This Astra is TMO Approved and Protected. TMO stands for The Motoring Organisation, and they provide our 3-Year Aftercare Package, which is included in the price of every car we retail over £3,000. It covers the mechanical and electrical components of the car for three years, and claims are dealt with by TMO through approved garages nationwide, so it works wherever you live. Upgraded cover is available if you want more.