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VAUXHALL CALIBRA (1992)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 46 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc34 years old46 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 34 years old, 74% of VAUXHALL CALIBRAs from 1992 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 46 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 104,492 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 cars120th of 178(top 67%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models702th of 882(top 80%)
vs national average-8%(82% avg)
vs 1992 cars average-3%(77% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,492

Average miles

vs

251,600

Expected for age

The average 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA has 104,492 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1993 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 76%. The 1992 sits between the two at 74%.

VAUXHALL CALIBRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
199876%84112,623 mi
199783%346114,525 mi
199682%433110,370 mi
199583%222103,825 mi
199488%148117,683 mi
199394%68110,305 mi
199274%46104,492 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA

The 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 46 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1992, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 104,492 miles at 34 years old, VAUXHALL CALIBRA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL CALIBRA Reliability Trend

Older VAUXHALL CALIBRAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 8 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA

At 34 years old, the VAUXHALL CALIBRA 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 1993 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. Note: with only 46 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 34 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 104k 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 1992 VAUXHALL CALIBRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL CALIBRA(1992)74%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1994)69%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£400
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)84%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
FORD ESCORT(1990)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£520

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.

Related Vauxhall Models

Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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