Written by Jacqueline
Let us explore the world of Vauxhall Astra windscreen replacements.
Join us as we examine the process, costs, and details of ensuring clear and safe views on the road.
Navigating Vauxhall Astra Windscreen Replacement: A Comprehensive Guide
Regarding the iconic Vauxhall Astra, the prospect of windscreen replacement or repair can initially evoke worry. However, diving deep into the causes behind those pesky cracks, understanding preventive measures, and pinpointing the best destinations for expert care transforms this seemingly cumbersome task into a streamlined, hassle-free experience.
Continue reading to demystify the enigma of the Vauxhall Astra windscreen and get answers to all your pressing questions.
NEW VAUXHALL ASTRA WINDSCREEN
What makes the Vauxhall Astra a good car?
The Vauxhall Astra, a paragon of British automotive ingenuity, stands tall as one of the UK’s most enduring and beloved hatchbacks. Since its debut, the Astra has consistently evolved, blending meticulous engineering with a design ethos that resonates deeply with the British motorist.
Its sleek silhouette, coupled with an interior that marries comfort with the latest tech, has ensured that the Astra isn’t just another car on the M1—it’s a statement of style and efficiency. Whether navigating the bustling streets of London or cruising the scenic byways of the Cotswolds, the Vauxhall Astra remains a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the UK’s automotive landscape.
The Vauxhall Astra is a vehicle that has long stood its ground against some of the biggest names in the market, like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf rivals as one of the most popular automobiles in the UK car market. Now within the seventh generation of its production and invigorated with an updated engine in 2019, along with a trim level line-up, the Vauxhall Astra persists in being ambitious in an industry packed tight with gifted opponents.
Why do cracks appear on the windscreen of my Vauxhall Astra?
The reasons for cracks appearing are numerous and annoying in every instance. Some are common everyday reasons and a few are exceptional cases that are highly dependant on the situation.
Impact damage
The most natural and rational reason that cracks or dents will appear on your windscreen or car glass cover. When you ride along a recently gravelled road or one filled with pebbles and stones, small road debris can be agitated up from the area and tossed towards your windscreen. With enough speed, these missiles can deliver sufficient levels of damage to the sheets of glass that are a part of your windscreen.
Stress Fractures from fast changes in temperatures
Less common, but more damaging, is fluctuating changes in hot and cold exposures your Vauxhall Astra might be subjected to, either overtime or within a short time frame.
When your car’s windscreen comes into contact with drastic shifts in temperature, such as a hot day full of sunlight or blistery chill from an icy wind, it increases the danger of developing a stress fracture. This effect occurs when shifting temperatures provoke the glass layers to expand and contract swiftly, causing pesky cracks to appear.
Continuous changes will slowly degenerate and break your car’s glass over time, but a wild change (such as pouring boiling liquid on glaciated windscreens) can cause it to shatter immediately.
Weather patterns
As if we didn’t have enough weather problems to deal with daily, now we have to look out for our cars as well! Blizzards can frost our windscreens over, bring along blizzards and hail storms that could break glass or cause car accidents, and icy roads may become the space for perilous accidents to take place.
Car accidents
The worst result possible from driving; a car swerving off a road, a distracted driver turning without indicating or just plain terrible timing can result in either a small fender with only a minor repair being needed or a complete shattering of every bit of glass in your Vauxhall Astra.
Shoddy car repair workmanship
If you select a car glass repair facility that doesn’t grasp the complexities of how a car’s glass merges with its various part,s or if they tend to use low-quality materials, then you’ll be needing them sooner than you would like.
Safety Concerns
Cracks and dents compromise your safety while driving. With them peppering the surface of your windscreen, your vision is compromised as well as the structural integrity of the frame of your car. If you get into a car accident, the windscreen and other car glass sections can sometimes be the only thing standing in the way of the framework folding in on itself and crushing all the occupants of the car.
Not worth your life and the lives of those in your car.
Ethics Concerns
When you drive with less than perfect vision, you increase the odds of getting into a car crash or collision with everyone else on the road, as well as any pedestrians going about their day and trying to get from point A to point B. You don’t want that weighing on your conscience for the rest of your life, simply because your Vauxhall Astra wasn’t up to its security code.
Not worth the lives of those near your car.
Law Concerns
When you drive around within the UK with visible cracks and dents on your windscreen, you are liable to be charged with reckless and dangerous driving, depending on the level of damage at the time. This can result in either three penalty points towards your licence or being slapped with a hefty fine.
Not worth a criminal record, or a long battle in court.
How do I prevent cracks and dents from appearing on my Vauxhall Astra?
Luckily, there are a number of methods you can put in place to ensure that you prevent any cracks from appearing on your windscreen’s beautiful surface. And prevention is easier, quicker, and cheaper than repairs or replacements.
Provide good shelter from the elements at all times
When it’s chilly, utilise the defroster slowly to stop the windscreen from cracking due to rapidly fluctuating temperatures. If feasible, park your Vauxhall Astra out of the sun whenever possible. Heat prompts the glass to expand, which can lead to a crack or chip becoming more serious, and thus; sunlight is never fitting for cars. The shelter also protects your car glass from impact damage due to random flying missiles (such as balls and frisbees) or weather pattern projectiles such as hailstones and wind-flung tree branches.
Clean your windscreen whenever possible
If you have a crack or chip, you should supervise it against getting any dirt or moisture into it, as this can taint the crack. You should put a clear piece of tape over it for protection, as windscreen wiper fluid also comprises of colourants, which can smear the area, leading to blemished results even after a successful repair.
Drive carefully on the road
The usual reasons for cracks are road debris and projectiles that knock against your car come from the vehicles in front of you. When you’re travelling on a gravelly path, linger a secure distance away from any other car on the street.
By reducing your speed during a hail storm, you can lessen the strength of the impact on your windscreen and thus limit the damage.
Can I repair the damage to my Vauxhall Astra’s windscreen by myself?
Sometimes you’ll see that you are absolutely proficient in regards to fixing minor cracks and dents by yourself. A neighbourhood hardware emporium might have the many tools, goods and guides to simple DIY windscreen repairs.
However, there are some cases that you will need to be made aware of.
If you spot any of the following within the damage type towards your windscreen, you will need to get your Vauxhall Astra looked at as soon as possible by a respected car glass technician, as these are cases where a simple repair will not suffice:
- The chip or dent on the windscreen of your Vauxhall Astra is bigger than a £2 coin in size.
- If the location of the crack/dent is less than 3cm away from the side of the car frame pane.
- When the windscreen chip obscures the driver’s field of vision.
- If the crack is on the inside side of your Vauxhall Astra’s windscreen, and not on the outside where you typically find it.
The year
The Vauxhall Astra’ has been in production since 1980, and as such its car parts available and the quality, they come in all vary wildly, as will their costs. A 1980 Vauxhall Astra with all its possible windscreen features comes to £496.96.
A 2020 production year Vauxhall Astra with all its possible windscreen features comes to £533.54
Quite a difference hey?
The style of your Vauxhall Astra
Earlier models of the Vauxhall Astra come in three distinctive styles; Convertible, Coupe and Estate.
Each one is glorious in they’re own way but each does come with slightly differing costs:
- A 2000 Convertible model with all its windscreen features will cost £454.20
- A 2000 Hatchback: £450.11
- And a 2000 Estate will also cost £319.19
Later models of the Vauxhall Astra don’t get sold with these options of style and will not play a part in the final cost of your windscreen replacement.
And finally, one of the most influential factors of your windscreen replacement cost will be the number of windscreen features it has:
What windscreen features does a Vauxhall Astra have?
These are features that interact directly with the windscreen and will also need to be replaced completely, or altered with refined techniques when a windscreen replacement has to take place.
Your Vauxhall Astra might have the following (you must check and find out if yours has these, as the glass technicians will need to know):
Camera
This is a handy little device that can be found behind the rearview mirror and also just behind the windscreen of your Vauxhall Astra. It records footage from the front and back of the car, assisting you in parking, reverse driving, and providing the necessary footage to prove your innocence in a disputed car accident case.
Sun Strip
This little blue-grey strip at the top is used to protect your eyes from any sun damage and harsh lighting which might compromise your vision and thus your safety. This danger is especially prominent during the hours of sunrises and sunsets.
Green Tinted Glass
Similar in function to the sun strip, this is also to help drivers against the harsh UV lighting effects of the sun. While it also dilutes the harshness for better vision, it also provides an extra layer of skin protection for all the occupants of your vehicle.
An interesting fact about the Vauxhall Astra!
Some futuristic techs are coming on offer soon!
As a buyer, you can get some extravagant features usually booked for the pricier cars, including dynamic lane-keep assistance that pushes the steering to hold the car in its lane, automated emergency braking, and a following-distance notice on the upper trim levels. There are also fascinating elective luxury extras that you might not assume to see on the Vauxhall models.
These include a subscription-based in-car WiFi system which links to a 4G sim card, along with power-operated, vented and warmed seats with a massage option! The Vauxhall Astra is also proposing some advanced full-LED lamps that automatically light around approaching cars without glaring into their driver’s eyeballs.
Here are more Vauxhall-related posts:
Vauxhall Corsa Windscreen Replacement Service
Vauxhall Insignia Windscreen Replacement and Car Glass Repair
Who can I trust for glass repairs and replacements in the UK?
Trust UK Car Glass for all your car glass repairs and windscreen replacements.
What we offer:
Nation-wide coverage
If your Vauxhall Astra can be reached by land or bridge, we’re there! Our technicians are on the go and this means no more driving on the road with an unsafe car in need of repairs or replacements!
Fair prices
We offer market competitive pricing and payment plans that are covered by most UK insurance policies. We have an upfront system that details exactly what you’re paying for, so no scammy or underhand costs will be filtered in!
Raving Reviews
If you don’t want to take our word for it, check out some of the reviews for UK Car Glass, and you’ll see we always leave our clients happy and satisfied with our work!
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