Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1982 Opel Kadett?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1982 Opel Kadett?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1982 Opel Kadett?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1982 Opel Kadett?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Opel Kadett (1982)

1,342 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.8% first-time pass rate

1982 Opel Kadett

CarHunch analysed 1,342 real MOT records for the 1982 Opel Kadett. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.2% below UK average

0.8%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

62,120

typical mileage

54,615–73,497 middle half

0.1%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.02

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1982 Opel Kadett

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Opel Kadett

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (96%)	1,289	0.8%	0.02
Diesel (4%)	53	0%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1982 Opel Kadett vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

54,615

low mileage

62,120

typical

73,497

high mileage

Half of all 1982 Opel Kadett vehicles fall between 54,615 and 73,497 miles.

MOT History Averages

1.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.02

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Opel Kadett

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

27.4%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
25.8%

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
22.6%

Brake pipe slightly corroded
19.4%

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
19.4%

Oil leak
17.7%

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
16.1%

Oil leak, but not excessive
16.1%

Brakes imbalanced across an axle

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Opel Kadett?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Opel Kadett:

1980 1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991