1993 Vauxhall Cavalier — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,230 MOT tests analysed for the 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 79.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.7% in the 150k+ group versus 11.1% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 117 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 111 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 96 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 91 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 65 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 103 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 96 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 35 |
| 5 | Wipers | 35 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 32 |
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 | 24.9% | 306 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 253 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 209 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 193 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.3% | 151 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 114 |
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 | 99 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 284 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 323 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 237 | 20.7% |
| 150k+ | 264 | 27.7% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,170 | 20.4% |
| Diesel | 60 | 18.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 319 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 286 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 236 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 207 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 182 | 18.1% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Cavalier
Before buying a 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (7.8% 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 1993 Vauxhall Cavaliers pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 1,230 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Vauxhall Cavalier?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 1993 Cavalier get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 30-60k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,230 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.