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Vauxhall Cavalier reliability by build year

Coverage 1975-19953 named generationsHatchbackPETROL

We've only got 1,257 MOT tests for Vauxhall Cavaliers built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Vauxhall Cavalier built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Vauxhall Cavaliers built before 2000 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Vauxhall Cavalier by number plate

Key figure

21% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Cavaliers built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Vauxhall Cavaliers built before 2000 involves the brakes.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Vauxhall Cavalier's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Cavalier's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Cavalier Mk3 (F)

Mk3 (F) (1988-1995)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

21.2% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,257 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Vauxhall Cavalier.

See every build year for the Vauxhall Cavalier

By age

Vauxhall Cavalier fail rate by age

This chart combines every Vauxhall Cavalier ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,25721.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Vauxhall Cavaliers

These issues come from 25+ year old Vauxhall Cavaliers, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    13.8%
    Advisory: 175Fail: 6 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.8%
    Advisory: 196Fail: 27 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    7.9%
    Advisory: 114Fail: 83 (42% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    7.8%
    Advisory: 97Fail: 15 (13% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    7.4%
    Advisory: 112Fail: 25 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,257 MOT tests on 25+ year old Vauxhall Cavaliers, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Vauxhall Cavaliers notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension27%
  2. Body & structure + Brakes25%
  3. Body & structure + Suspension23%
  4. Brakes + Other20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 472 MOT tests on Vauxhall Cavalier cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Vauxhall Cavalier.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 Vauxhall Cavalier recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • 1) possible static sparking during refuelling (astra models only) 2) air bag system may not deploy
  • Wiring may chafe on brake pipe
  • Possible tyre failure

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Sierra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.5%

    Lower fail rate: 11.5%, against 21.2% for the Vauxhall Cavalier, both built before 2000.

    3,022 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Austin Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    4.5%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 5.9%, against 11.2% for the Vauxhall Cavalier.

    3,373 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Ford Escort

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.6%
    Dangerous
    3.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 21.2% for the Vauxhall Cavalier, both built before 2000.

    10,088 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.9%

    No clear edge over the Vauxhall Cavalier on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,760 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Vauxhall Cavalier across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,257 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Vauxhall Cavalier ever sold: 1,257 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,257 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.