1987 Vauxhall Nova — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 256 MOT tests, the 1987 Vauxhall Nova recorded an 87.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 20.6% of the time, so this is 7.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.2%) and brakes (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 12 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.1% once past 60-90k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 14.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 21 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.7% | 12 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.7% | 7 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 12 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 9 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 7 |
| 6 | Non catalyst emissions | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.1% | 36 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 34 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.1% | 31 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 25 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 22 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.9% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 77 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 96 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 21.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45 | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 61 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 48 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 41 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 1987 Nova
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (4.7% 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.
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 1987 Vauxhall Novas pass their MOT?
87.1% of the 256 1987 Vauxhall Nova MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Vauxhall Nova?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 1987 Nova get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 21.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 256 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.