Vauxhall Belmont (1986)
1986 Vauxhall Belmont
CarHunch analysed 138 real MOT records for the 1986 Vauxhall Belmont. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Vauxhall Belmont is a below-average performer on MOT, with a 66% first-time pass rate that sits well below the 80% UK average—meaning you're more likely than not to face a repair bill before passing. The good news is that dangerous defects are relatively uncommon at 12.3%, so the cars that do fail tend to need fixing rather than scrapping.
These BelmOnts are genuinely old with typical mileage around 60,000, which is actually low for their age and suggests lighter use over four decades. Surviving examples average 1.52 failures and 4.8 advisories per test, pointing to worn brakes, suspension, and lighting rather than catastrophic problems—but budget for consistent maintenance if you're buying one, and always get a pre-purchase inspection by a classic-car mechanic familiar with 1980s Vauxhalls.
What to check before buying a 1986 Vauxhall Belmont
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 Vauxhall Belmont
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 136 | 66% | 1.52 |
| Diesel (1%) | 2 | 62.5% | 1.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Vauxhall Belmont 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.
Half of all 1986 Vauxhall Belmont vehicles fall between 39,168 and 77,079 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Vauxhall Belmont
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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16.8%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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15.8%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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14.7%
Oil leak
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13.6%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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12.6%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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11.5%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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10.8%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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10.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Belmont?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.