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VAUXHALL BRAVA (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 148 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2499cc27 years old148 tests106k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2499cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2499cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 27 years old, 83% of VAUXHALL BRAVAs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 148 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 106,415 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars84th of 375(top 22%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models534th of 882(top 61%)
vs national average+1%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average+8%(75% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-1%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,415

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA has 106,415 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1996 model with a 84% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 72%. The 1999 sits between the two at 83%.

VAUXHALL BRAVA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200271%4291,988 mi
200176%92107,383 mi
200072%87105,028 mi
199983%148106,415 mi
199872%164122,268 mi
199782%136124,719 mi
199684%50134,039 mi
199571%34117,909 mi
199388%32133,031 mi

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About the 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA

The 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA is a large car with a 2499cc diesel engine. 148 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 22% of all 1999 cars for reliability.

With an average of 106,415 miles at 27 years old, VAUXHALL BRAVA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA Fuel Costs

The 2499cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL BRAVA Reliability Trend

The VAUXHALL BRAVA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA

At 27 years old, the VAUXHALL BRAVA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 84%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 106k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1999 VAUXHALL BRAVA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL BRAVA(1999)83%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2045
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)70%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2001)75%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
FIAT DUCATO(2001)73%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050+£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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