Vauxhall Carlton (1986)
1986 Vauxhall Carlton
CarHunch analysed 308 real MOT records for the 1986 Vauxhall Carlton. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1986 Vauxhall Carlton
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 Carlton
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%) | 304 | 25.3% | 0.46 |
| Diesel (1%) | 4 | 16.7% | 0.75 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Vauxhall Carlton 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 Carlton vehicles fall between 28,993 and 81,099 miles.
1986 Vauxhall Carlton — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2017, 85% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2017.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Vauxhall Carlton
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
21.4%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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19.4%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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13.5%
Oil leak
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13.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.2%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
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11%
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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10.7%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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10.4%
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Carlton?
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