Vauxhall Cavalier (1995)
1995 Vauxhall Cavalier
CarHunch analysed 42,693 real MOT records for the 1995 Vauxhall Cavalier. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1995 Vauxhall Cavalier passes its MOT first time in just 66.7% of cases—significantly below the UK average of 80%—which means nearly a third of these cars fail their test. With 15.3% having recorded a dangerous defect at some point, this is a legitimate buyer concern, though petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (66.9% and 66.0% pass rates respectively).
These Cavaliers are averaging 120,000 miles, which is entirely reasonable for a 29-year-old car, but the typical vehicle racks up 1.83 failures and 5.0 advisories per test, pointing to mounting wear in suspension, lighting, and fluid systems rather than catastrophic faults. If you're considering one, budget for near-certain repairs before MOT and expect to spend money on maintenance—they're not classics that reward neglect.
What to check before buying a 1995 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.
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 (80%) | 34,197 | 66.9% | 1.81 |
| Diesel (20%) | 8,474 | 66% | 1.89 |
| LPG (0%) | 19 | 67.1% | 1.89 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 50% | 1 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 85.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1995 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 1995 Vauxhall Cavalier vehicles fall between 90,934 and 132,273 miles.
1995 Vauxhall Cavalier — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 211 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% 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 — 1995 Vauxhall Cavalier
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
27.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
-
24.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
24.4%
Oil leak
-
22.2%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
-
21.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
16.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
15.6%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
-
15.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1995. 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.