2013 Vauxhall Astra VXR

Highlights

• Under 60,000 miles

• At the time of launch, the MK6 Astra VXR was the most powerful hatchback in the world

• Black metallic paintwork over a black half-leather interior

• In current ownership for 3 years

• Ready to use and enjoy

Overview

Hot hatches are the bread-and-butter of the car community here in the UK, offering plenty of poke and enjoyment but balancing this with practicality and comfort, they are the mainstay of the UK car scene, and with good reason - they really are the four-wheeled jack-of-all-trades.

For those looking for extra grunt from their hot hatch, the early 2010s presented an opportunity for manufacturers to take these nimble little hatches to the next level; Ford had the Focus ST, Renault with the Renaultsport Megane, and Vauxhall with this - the MK6 Astra ‘J’ VXR. In a game of Top Trumps (other card games are available) the Astra had its competition beat, with the title of being the most powerful hot hatch on the market at the time of launch. As we all know, that’s the only figure that matters when discussing your car with your mates…

Over 10 years from its launch, the Astra J is still a handsome thing indeed, with VXR models gaining model-specific bodykits, larger wheels and the all-important twin-exit exhaust, giving it the extra visual ‘beef’ that is so important for any performance hatch.

This particular example is an early 2013-registered VXR, which has been in the care of the current owner - a self-confessed performance Vauxhall enthusiast - for around three years, and has covered less than 60,000 miles from new. Crucially, however, it appears to be free of any modifications - tasteful or otherwise - which means this is an increasingly rare blank canvas. Keep OE or modify to your taste, the choice is yours…

History and documentation

• Registered December 19th 2013

• In current ownership for 3 years

• Stamped service book with services as follows: Jan 2017 @ 31,176 miles, Jan 2018 @ 39,869 miles, May 2019 @ 44,145 miles, Jul 2020 @ 46,580 miles, Nov 2021 @ 49,609 miles, Nov 2022 @ 53,089 miles, Nov 2023 @ 55,836 miles, Nov 2024 @ 57,588 miles

• Full document pack

• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates

• Three keys - one programmed, two manual

• Current MOT with no advisories expires November 22nd 2025

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Black half-leather interior in very good condition

• No modifications from factory specification

• VXR ‘bucket’ seats in good condition, with no signs of any heavy wear or damage save for a rip on the outer face of the driver’s seat bolster

• Some light scratches and blemishes noted to the door sill kick plates and high-traffic areas such as the door cards and steering wheel

• The rear seats look to be in good condition, but in need of a valeting

• In the rear, the boot is tidy and free of any heavy staining, but the plastic ‘ski hatch’ on the rear seat centre is scuffed and lightly damaged

• Under the floor, the tyre inflator kit is present

• No reported faults or issues

• Overall, a smart interior that has one or two areas of wear in keeping with its age and mileage, along with some attention required to the outer driver’s seat bolster

Exterior

• Metallic black paintwork with diamond-cut VXR-specific wheels

• The front end shows the usual smattering of stone chips, and there are one or two blemishes around the bodywork as expected from a 12-year-old vehicle

• The bonnet appears to have a few patches of lacquer damage

• There is a scratch on the lower nearside side skirt

• A small impact has taken a chunk out of the nearside edge of the front bumper above the intake

• Looking closely, there is some corrosion beginning to come through on the offside front arch and the offside rear arch

• Some light kerb damage is noted on the very edge of the offside front wheel and the face of the nearside front wheel

• The Nexen tyres are dated 2024 on the front, and 2023 on the rear

• Overall, a smart example that would benefit from a little TLC to bring it back to its best, but is perfectly usable and enjoyable as it sits

Mechanical

• 1,998cc turbocharged inline-four engine

• 280bhp in standard form

• Six-speed manual gearbox, driving the front wheels

• No reported modifications or upgrades

• Recent rear disc and pad replacement

• The engine bay would benefit from a thorough cleaning, but otherwise shows no signs of any issues

• The seller tells us there is slight whining sound from steering wheel when turning in low gears but it’s been like that throughout their ownership and it hasn’t got worse

• The seller tells us that this VXR “sounds great” and drives well, with no reported faults or issues

Summary

Designed to take the fight to Renaultsport and Ford at the time of launch and still able to run with the best of them over 10 years on from its release, the MK6 Astra VXR packs a formidable punch and still looks great to this day - both key features for any hot hatch.

An ideal candidate for a performance daily, we have no doubt you’d also get more than a few smiles per miles at a local track day, should such adventures be to your taste.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Harlow, Essex