1992 Vauxhall Cavalier — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 483 MOT tests, the 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier recorded a 79.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.0% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.1%) and suspension (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 67 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 20.8% versus 15.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.2% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 39 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 26 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 67 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 18 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 17 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 24.8% | 120 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.9% | 106 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.6% | 80 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 75 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.4% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 77 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 48 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 119 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 106 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 101 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 82 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 75 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Cavalier
On a 1992 Cavalier, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1992 Vauxhall Cavaliers pass their MOT?
79.5% of the 483 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Vauxhall Cavalier?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 1992 Cavalier get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 30-60k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 483 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.