The Vauxhall Astra feels like a bit of a national institution, a nameplate that has signified a small, affordable family hatchback for over three decades, writes Jonathan Crouch

The range has grown over the years and was especially wide in sixth generation guise, with the core five-door model joined by a capacious estate, a coupe-like three door GTC model and a tyre shredding VXR hot hatch.

The MK6 Astra was introduced in late 2009.

The facelifted line-up, which arrived in 2012 and lasted Vauxhall until the seventh generation version’s introduction in the Autumn of 2015.

You’ll find plenty of these late-model MK6 Astras about - and they appear to offer plenty for the money.

Though the aesthetic improvements made to this improved MK6 model Astra were subtle, they did succeed in giving it a much fresher look.

We’re talking here of the five-door hatch and the Sports Tourer estate: the other Astra bodystyle option, the GTC Coupe, had been introduced as recently as the end of 2010.

And it’s that GTC that provided the inspiration for many of the aesthetic changes made to this facelifted range.

Take the front end which got a more pronounced GTC-like lower grille.

The rear was revised too, with smarter rear panel styling and a chromed lower moulding.

As is always the case with mainstream family hatches, ensure that the car has been serviced on the button and that the mileage on the service record stamp tallies with what the odometer says.

It’s also worth checking the car for accident damage, as many cars will be de-fleeted early if they’ve had a prang and have been repaired.

The engines tend to be tough units with no serious problems to report.

There are lots of options if you’re looking for a family hatchback from the 2012 to 2015 period and in a class packed with noteworthy cars, it would be easy perhaps, to overlook this facelifted MK6 model Astra.

The really desirable and efficient variants may well require you to negotiate a sharp deal with your seller to keep within budget, then you’ll get yourself a lot of car for the money.

Do that and you’ll almost certainly come away with a very good deal. On a surprisingly good car.