Vauxhall Cavalier common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Vauxhall Cavalier, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,305 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1985 Vauxhall Cavalier
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Vauxhall Cavalier as a whole.
What to check on a 1985 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976
What usually goes wrong with a Vauxhall Cavalier?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Vauxhall Cavalier in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Vauxhall Cavalier MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Corroded fuel pipes
up to 7.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 1995.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 1995.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.
Coil springs
up to 1.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 1995.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Vauxhall Cavalier MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Vauxhall Cavalier
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the Vauxhall Cavalier as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Vauxhall Cavalier?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score