Vauxhall Cavalier (1992)
1992 Vauxhall Cavalier
CarHunch analysed 21,294 real MOT records for the 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier is a notably unreliable prospect: only 54.3% pass their MOT first time, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in ten have suffered a dangerous defect at some point. Petrol models are slightly worse than diesels (54.0% versus 59.3% pass rate), though neither inspires confidence.
These cars are typically clocking around 115,000 miles by MOT time, and they're failing because of real wear—the average vehicle racks up 1.28 failures and 2.5 advisories per test. If you're considering one, budget for immediate welding, brake, and suspension work, and factor in regular repairs; this generation simply wasn't built to last reliably into the modern era.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 5.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier
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 Cavalier
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 (94%) | 19,981 | 54% | 1.27 |
| Diesel (6%) | 1,307 | 59.3% | 1.43 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 40% | 1.2 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier 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 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier vehicles fall between 92,328 and 138,463 miles.
1992 Vauxhall Cavalier — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 60 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier
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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22.6%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
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22.3%
Oil leak
-
21.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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18.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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14%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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13.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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11.9%
Registration plate lamp not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Vauxhall Cavalier?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.