In Review; Vauxhall Astra... A Fun Family Run About!

Thank you to our existing personal leasing customer, based in Preston (Lancashire), for sending pictures of their new lease vehicle; the Vauxhall Astra Hatchback 1.4T 16V 150 Elite Nav 5dr Manual based on the following configuration:

· Mineral Black Metallic Paint
· Sienna Leather Upholstery – Jet Black
· 17″ Multi-Spoke Alloy Wheels

The Vauxhall Astra is one of the best value hatchback deals which we have ran over the last 12 months. An alternative to the VW Golf, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, this is a good value family option for under £200 per month.

We have also notice a considerable increase in the popularity of the petrol engines, as low-mileage drivers have moved away from the diesel alternatives.

Traditionally, the mentality has been to elect to choose the diesel Astra, the 1.6 CDTi (136ps), on the basis of the frugal fuel consumption this offers. However, due to the nature of driving that many of our customers have, a diesel engine is simply inappropriate.

Shorter stop/start journeys do not provide for the DPF to become hot enough to remove the by-products from the diesel engine. As a result, there have been reports of the DPF becoming blocked and, at the cost of the customer, this has to be cleaned.

For drivers covering 10,000 miles per annum and below, the petrol engine should be considered as part of your research if you are looking at low-mileage leasing offers.

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In terms of the car shown, the standard specification includes rain sensing wipers, solar glass, hill start assist, cruise control, Nav 900 with 8” screen, body coloured external features, Bluetooth, chrome effect, shark fin aerial, dual zone climate control, LED daytime lights, heated steering wheel, heated seats, LED ambient lighting, electric lumbar support, 12 way adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, sports seats, heated front and rear seats, 17” alloy wheels, electric folding mirrors, ultrasonic alarm and central locking. For the complete car you do need the following factory specification – front and rear parking sensors plus privacy glass.

On the technical-side, for company car drivers note the P11d of £21,895.00 and the Co2 at 128g/km. The 1399CC petrol turbo 6 speed manual engine delivers 150ps; this offers 51.4 MPG combined and 0-62 times of 7.8 seconds. On the servicing-sides, its every 12 months or 20,000 miles.

On a driver-maintained contract hire agreement, you are responsible for all the servicing, tyres and maintenance. So long as you use genuine manufacturer parts, you satisfy the obligations of the finance company and the warranty the manufacturer offers. However, if you do have a yearly obligation, you need to carefully consider the cost of doing this yourself vs the cost of the funder-maintenance package. With the latter, all your service, maintenance and tyre obligations are included at a fixed cost per month.

This certainty cost is often massively appreciate in our modern economy.

Additionally, as the funder-maintenance provides for collection of the vehicle from your premises when you need a service, main-dealer maintenance and a mobile tyre-fitting service, this is surely is a great option.

So would the Astra be your choice of good value hatchbacks or would you consider the Ford Focus, Peugeot 308 or Hyundai i30?