Our cars: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - October

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 2.0 CDTi SRi automatic

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 2.0 CDTi SRi automatic

Week ending October 14
Current mileage 22,648
Miles driven this week 555

Another week, another gremlin in the Astra's electrics. This time it's the headlights that have packed up.

Starting the ignition on Thursday morning, a warning message flashed up saying that the right-hand dipped-beam lamp wasn't working, which was true.

Then another message appeared soon after, saying that neither daytime running light was working. This was a lie. However, on the journey to work the left-hand dipped-beam lamp went out!

So now I've got a car that doesn't have either headlamp working on dipped beam. Great, especially when the nights are getting longer. The bulbs and fuses look fine, so some urgent dealer attention is called for.
Neil.Williams@whatcar.com

Week ending October 7
Current mileage 22,093
Miles driven this week 751

Something strange has happened to the Astra’s sat-nav system. The stern-sounding woman who gives instructions has momentarily confused her lefts and rights.

All had been working fine, but recently the spoken instructions haven’t matched the (correct) on-screen directions. It led to a few hurried double-takes and the odd curse until I realised what was going on.

Thankfully, the woman has now remembered which direction is left and which is right. I don’t mind being told what to do by an authoritative lady, but it helps if you’re being told the right thing!
Neil.Williams@whatcar.com