Vauxhall Brava

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 9 model years from 785 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

78%

Total Tests

785

Highest Pass Rate

1999 (83%)

Years Covered

About the Vauxhall Brava

The Vauxhall Brava was MOT tested 785 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 9 model years (1993 to 2002), with an average pass rate of 78%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 83% from 148 tests. The 1998 model has the lowest at 72%. The 11 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Bravas tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1993) averages 133,031 miles, while the newest (2002) averages 91,988 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Vauxhall brand average of 84%, the Brava is 6 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Vauxhall models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2499cc)

£1,676

Road Tax

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2002 details

How reliable is the Vauxhall Brava?

vs average of all models-4% (82% avg)

vs Vauxhall brand average-6% (84% avg)

Best to worst year spread11 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

Vauxhall Brava by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2002	71%	42	91,988 mi
2001	76%	92	107,383 mi
2000	72%	87	105,028 mi
1999	83%	148	106,415 mi
1998	72%	164	122,268 mi
1997	82%	136	124,719 mi
1996	84%	50	134,039 mi
1995	71%	34	117,909 mi
1993	88%	32	133,031 mi

Questions about the Vauxhall Brava

Is the Vauxhall Brava reliable?

Across its 9 model years in our data (1993 to 2002), the Vauxhall Brava averages a 78% MOT pass rate, from 785 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1999 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 83%.

Which year Vauxhall Brava has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1999 Vauxhall Brava has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 72%, a 11 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.