Opel Astra (hatchback / sedan / Sports Tourer) · H (Astra III)
Generation 3 2004–2014
Simple, spacious, everywhere. The 1.4/1.6 Twinport petrols are basic and durable (timing belt every 60,000 km on Z16XER); the 1.7 CDTI is the tough Isuzu diesel; the 1.9 CDTI (Fiat/GM) has swirl flaps, EGR and DPF to watch. Steering column locks and cheap interior wear are the quirks. Rust is moderate. A very sensible 6,000–12,000 PLN car.
Photo: Razvan85 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Rounded hatch with a wide grille bar; facelift adds chrome grille strips; GTC 3-door is sleeker; Caravan estate
- •Interior with the CID display on top of the dash; 'Classic III' badges on late Polish-market cars
2007 facelift
- New grille and bumpers, chrome details, revised interior
- 1.6 Twinport 115 (Z16XER), 1.8 140 (Z18XER), 1.7 CDTI 110/125, 1.9 CDTI 100/120/150
- Sold as 'Astra Classic III' in Poland until 2014 alongside the J
Engines
Engines
1.4 Twinport · 90 hp
2004–2014
Petrol · Manual / Automated manual · FWD
Slow, simple, LPG-friendly; avoid the Easytronic robotised gearbox.
1.6 Twinport · 105 hp
2004–2007
Petrol · Manual / Automated manual · FWD
The basic pre-facelift 1.6: durable, LPG-friendly.
1.6 (Z16XER) · 115 hp
2006–2014
Petrol · Manual / Automated manual · FWD
The common facelift 1.6: fine, but the timing belt (with tensioner and water pump) must be done on time; oil consumption on some. LPG-friendly.
1.8 (Z18XER) · 140 hp
2006–2014
Petrol · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Brisk and durable; thermostat housing and oil consumption on high-milers. Automatic available.
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp
2007–2010
Petrol · Manual · FWD
Quick GTC/Sport engine; turbo and PCV with age.
1.3 CDTI · 90 hp
2005–2014
Diesel · Manual / Automated manual · FWD
Tiny Fiat diesel: economical, slow, timing chain and turbo with age.
1.7 CDTI · 100 hp
2004–2014
Diesel · Manual · FWD
Isuzu diesel (100/110/125 hp): tough, economical; injector seals, EGR and DPF on later cars. The sensible Astra H diesel.
1.9 CDTI · 120 hp
2004–2010
Diesel · Manual / Automatic · FWD
Torquey Fiat-GM 1.9 (100/120/150 hp): swirl flaps, EGR, DPF (150) and dual mass are the known items; injectors on high-milers.
OPC 2.0 Turbo · 240 hp
2005–2010
Petrol · Manual · FWD
240 hp GTC with Recaros and IDS+ chassis; robust engine, most are tuned.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.4 Twinport · 90 hp Petrol · 1.4 Twinport · Z14XEP | 200 | 2004–2014 | Manual / Automated manual FWD | Slow, simple, LPG-friendly; avoid the Easytronic robotised gearbox. | ||
1.6 Twinport · 105 hp Petrol · 1.6 Twinport 105 · Z16XEP | 155 | 2004–2007 | Manual / Automated manual FWD | The basic pre-facelift 1.6: durable, LPG-friendly. | ||
1.6 (Z16XER) · 115 hp Petrol · 1.6 115 · Z16XER / A16XER | 293 | 2006–2014 | Manual / Automated manual FWD | The common facelift 1.6: fine, but the timing belt (with tensioner and water pump) must be done on time; oil consumption on some. LPG-friendly. | ||
1.8 (Z18XER) · 140 hp Petrol · 1.8 140 · Z18XER | 94 | 2006–2014 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Brisk and durable; thermostat housing and oil consumption on high-milers. Automatic available. | ||
1.6 Turbo · 180 hp Petrol · 1.6 Turbo · Z16LET | 28 | 2007–2010 | Manual FWD | Quick GTC/Sport engine; turbo and PCV with age. | ||
1.3 CDTI · 90 hp Diesel · 1.3 CDTI · Z13DTH (Fiat) | 32 | 2005–2014 | Manual / Automated manual FWD | Tiny Fiat diesel: economical, slow, timing chain and turbo with age. | ||
1.7 CDTI · 100 hp Diesel · 1.7 CDTI · Z17DTH / A17DTR (Isuzu) | 176 | 2004–2014 | Manual FWD | Isuzu diesel (100/110/125 hp): tough, economical; injector seals, EGR and DPF on later cars. The sensible Astra H diesel. | ||
1.9 CDTI · 120 hp Diesel · 1.9 CDTI 120/150 · Z19DT / Z19DTH (Fiat/GM) | 84 | 2004–2010 | Manual / Automatic FWD | Torquey Fiat-GM 1.9 (100/120/150 hp): swirl flaps, EGR, DPF (150) and dual mass are the known items; injectors on high-milers. | ||
OPC 2.0 Turbo · 240 hp Petrol · Astra OPC · Z20LEH | 12 | 2005–2010 | Manual FWD | 240 hp GTC with Recaros and IDS+ chassis; robust engine, most are tuned. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Essentia / Enjoy
commonbase
2004–2014
Basic and mid: air-con on Enjoy.
Cosmo / Sport / Elegance
uncommonequipment line
2004–2014
Higher trims: climate, alloys, sport seats on Sport, often IDS+ suspension.
OPC
rareperformance model
2005–2010
2.0 Turbo 240, Recaros, OPC body kit, IDS+ chassis.
Watch out: OPC Line styling is not an OPC.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
Climate control
Cosmo/Sport.
rare
Xenon with AFL cornering
Rare; good lights.
rare
IDS+ / FlexRide
Rare adaptive dampers on Sport/OPC.
rare
Leather / Recaro seats
Rare outside OPC.
common
Air conditioning
Not standard on Essentia.
uncommon
Heated seats
Valued.
common
Cruise control
Comfort.
rare
Panoramic windscreen (GTC)
GTC option; check for cracks.
common
LPG installation (aftermarket)
Very common on Twinport petrols.
uncommon
Parking sensors
Convenience.
common
Tow bar
Common on Caravan.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +Cheap parts and every mechanic knows it
- +1.7 CDTI and Twinport petrols are durable
- +Spacious Caravan; simple electronics
Expensive when they fail
Timing belt failureDPF (1.9 CDTI 150)Easytronic actuator
Polish market
At 5,000–12,000 PLN the Astra H competes with the Octavia II and Focus Mk2. A Twinport petrol on LPG or a 1.7 CDTI from a careful owner is the smart buy.
Known weak points
- seriousTiming belt (1.6/1.8 XER)Belt, tensioner and water pump every 60,000 km / 6 years; failures destroy the engine.Check: Ask for the last timing belt invoice with mileage.
- moderate1.9 CDTI swirl flaps, EGR, DPFIntake swirl flaps break, EGR clogs, DPF (150 hp) blocks; injectors on high-milers.Check: Ask about swirl flap and EGR work; check for smoke and warning lights.
- moderateSteering column lockElectronic steering lock failure immobilises the car; a known Astra H fault.Check: Ask whether the steering lock was replaced or fails intermittently.
- moderateEasytronic robotised gearboxClutch actuator failures; avoid.Check: Prefer a manual.
- moderateRustRear arches, sills, tailgate and bonnet edge on salted-road cars.Check: Inspect arches and sills.
- noteOil consumption (XER/XEP)Worn rings on high-mileage petrols; not fatal if topped up.Check: Ask about oil use per 1,000 km.
- noteSuspension and electricsDrop links, rear bushes, window regulators, CID display pixels.Check: Listen for knocks; test windows and display.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 1204 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.6 Petrol · 115 hp 1.6 | 19% | 12 500 PLN | 195 500 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 90 hp 1.4 | 14% | 8 400 PLN | 195 048 km | Manual · FWD |
1.6 Petrol · 105 hp 1.6 Cosmo | 12% | 7 900 PLN | 212 100 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD / AWD |
1.8 Petrol · 140 hp 1.8 Cosmo | 5% | 10 500 PLN | 214 000 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
1.7 Diesel · 100 hp 1.7 CDTI Cosmo | 5% | 5 500 PLN | 288 897 km | Manual · FWD |
1.4 Petrol · 120 hp 1.4 Turbo Edition Sport | 5% | 19 900 PLN | 172 000 km | Manual · FWD |
1.9 Diesel · 100 hp 1.9 CDTI | 3% | 6 100 PLN | 300 000 km | Manual · FWD |
1.7 Diesel · 110 hp 1.7 CDTI | 3% | 6 900 PLN | 266 000 km | Manual · FWD / RWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- Cosmo55
- Enjoy36
- Sport24
- Essentia16
- Start13
- T Sport13
- Edition13
- Design Edition8
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Electric front windows 95%Driver airbag 95%Passenger airbag 95%Front side airbags 95%ABS 90%Power steering 86%Radio 81%Leather steering wheel 76%Heated door mirrors 71%Steering wheel audio controls 67%Traction control 67%ESP stability control 67%Cloth upholstery 62%Electric door mirrors 52%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
1.6 Twinport / 1.8 with a fresh timing belt, private owner
The honest cheap Astra.
1.7 CDTI for high mileage
The tough Isuzu diesel.